Texas Governor Signs Bill Banning Cell Phones in School

House Bill 1481 requires districts to have consequences in place for students who are found using their cell phones in school.

Published: June 24, 2025Author: Amy Rock

Adobe Stock Image by FTN-STUDIO

Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Friday signed a bill banning students from using cell phones in school.

House Bill 1481 requires public school districts or open-enrollment charter schools to adopt and implement policies prohibiting students from using “personal communication devices” during school hours, Fox reports. Devices include cell phones, tablets, smart watches, radio devices, paging devices, or any other electronic devices “capable of telecommunication or digital communication.”

Under the bill, schools must either prohibit students from bringing devices on campus or find a way for students to store them while on school property. Schools are also required to have consequences in place for students who are found using the devices. Exceptions will be made if a student has a doctor’s note or if a device is needed to comply with health or safety requirements.

RELATED: New York to Implement School Cell Phone Ban This Fall

Back in September, Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath encouraged lawmakers to implement a ban in public schools across the state, noting cell phones are “extremely harmful” to student progress.

“If it were in my power, I would have already banned them in all schools in the state,” he said. “So I would encourage you to consider that as a matter of public policy going forward for our students and our teachers.”

The House approved the bill 128 to 17 with two no-votes. The Senate passed the bill by a 31 to 0 vote. School boards have 90 days to adopt the policy.

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Some Texas School Districts Already Have Cell Phone Ban in Place

Several Texas school districts implemented cell phone bans in recent years, including Richardson ISD. The district requires students to lock away their phones in Yondr pouches at the start of the day. Superintendent Tabitha Branum says 85% of teachers reported the ban gave them back more instructional time.

Lake Highlands High School in Dallas implemented a cell phone ban two years ago. When the school’s nearly 3,000 students enter the building each morning, they are also required to place their phones in Yondr pouches. They are unlocked by special devices at dismissal. Back in January, Principal Kerri Jones told DPA National that students are now conversing with each other in the mornings instead of staring at their screens.

“The hallways get loud but it’s a good loud,” she said.

RELATED: Illinois Governor Proposes School Cell Phone Ban

Not everyone supports the bans, however. After the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) started piloting Yondr pouches at several of its schools, a Change.org petition created by a Bryan Adams High School student received more than 1,800 signatures.

Last year, Houston students held a walkout to protest a cell phone ban.

Texas Joins Growing List of States with School Cell Phone Bans

Texas is hardly the first state to implement a cell phone ban. As of June 2025, in addition to Washington, D.C., states that have enacted legislation or issued executive orders that ban cell phones in schools are: