New School Year, New Rules For Texas Students

In less than a month, students across Texas will begin going back to school. And for many students and parents, they will learn that with this new school year comes a big new rule change.

Cell phones and other personal communication devices are now banned at Texas Public Schools thanks to the Texas Legislature.

Cell Phones Banned In Texas Schools

The Texas Legislature passed and Governor Abbott signed House Bill 1481 which requires all public and open-enrollment charter schools to prohibit the use of cell phones and other personal communication devices during the school day.

Lawmakers passed the ban in hopes to crack down on cyberbullying, improve focus of students and to improve mental health among students according to the Star-Telegram.

Each school in Texas must either prohibit phones and other devices or provide some type of secure storage option.

The ban goes into effect starting September 1st, but districts will have 90 days to adopt and enforce the ban.

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There are exceptions to ban. If the device is part of a district-approved educational program, needed for health or safety reasons, or if the device is required for a documented medical or mental health condition.

Some Districts Have Already Banned Cell Phones

According to the Star-Telegram, many Texas School Districts have already banned cell phones in classrooms. So for those students, there won't be much of a change for those students.

What Devices Are Banned Under the Law?

According to the bill, cellphones, tablets, smartwatches, radios, and pagers (kids still use pagers?), and any other device capable of telecommunication or digital communication.