HB 1481 explained: The bell-to-bell phone ban in Texas public schools
TL;DR
HB 1481 requires every Texas school district and open-enrollment charter school to adopt a policy barring students from using personal communication devices, including phones, tablets and smartwatches, on school property during the school day. It passed with bipartisan support, 128–17 in the House and 31–0 in the Senate, and took effect when the Governor signed it on June 20, 2025.
What the bill does
The rule. Every school board or charter governing body must adopt, carry out and enforce a written policy that bars students from using a personal communication device on school property during the school day. Under the old law this was optional.
What counts. Phones (smartphones and flip phones), tablets, smartwatches, radio devices, pagers and other devices that can communicate. Devices the school issues don’t count.
How schools can do it. A school can ban bringing devices onto campus or set a way to store them during the day. The policy has to include discipline for violations and may allow confiscation. A confiscated device can be disposed of after the school gives the parent 90 days’ written notice.
Required exceptions. Schools have to allow device use that’s needed for a student’s IEP, Section 504 plan or similar plan, for a student with a documented need based on a doctor’s directive, or to meet a health or safety requirement.
Other details. The Texas Education Agency has to publish model policy language. Adult education charter programs are exempt. Districts had 90 days after the law took effect to adopt their policies.
Authors & sponsors
Author: Rep. Caroline Fairly (R), HD 87
Joint authors: Rep. Jared Patterson (R), Rep. James Talarico (D), Rep. Brad Buckley (R), Rep. Ann Johnson (D)
Coauthors: 82 House members from both parties
Senate sponsor: Sen. Brandon Creighton (R), SD 4 (left the Senate Oct. 2025)
Votes
| Vote | Date | Yeas–Nays |
|---|---|---|
| House (passed) | Apr 24, 2025 | 128–17 |
| Senate (passed) | May 25, 2025 | 31–0 |
Timeline
| Dec 2, 2024 | Filed in the House |
| Apr 24, 2025 | Passed the House |
| May 25, 2025 | Passed the Senate |
| Jun 20, 2025 | Signed by the Governor; took effect immediately |
Status & what to watch
Status: In effect since June 20, 2025. The 2025–26 school year is the first full year under the law.
What to watch: how districts enforce it, whether through storage pouches, lockers or keeping devices off campus, and how they handle exceptions.
Sources
- HB 1481 bill history (Texas Legislature Online)
- HB 1481 enrolled text, with certified vote counts
- HB 1481 authors
- HB 1481 sponsors
- Party affiliation, 89th Legislature (Legislative Reference Library)