Texas HB1481: Relating to school district and open-enrollment charter school policies regarding student use of personal communication devices.

What the bill says

An act relating to school district and open-enrollment charter school policies regarding student use of personal communication devices.

From the enrolled text, May 26, 2025:

AN ACT relating to school district and open-enrollment charter school policies regarding student use of personal communication devices. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 37.082, Education Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 37.082.[ADDED: STUDENT USE][[DELETED: POSSESSION]] OF[ADDED: PERSONAL ] [ADDED: COMMUNICATION][[DELETED: PAGING]] DEVICES. (a)[ADDED: Notwithstanding any other law ] [ADDED: and subject to Subsection (c), the][[DELETED: The]] board of trustees of a school district[ADDED: or the governing body of an open-enrollment charter ] [ADDED: school shall][[DELETED: may]] adopt[ADDED: , implement, and ensure the district or ] [ADDED: school complies with]a[ADDED: written]policy prohibiting a student from [ADDED: using][[DELETED: possessing]] a[ADDED: personal communication][[DELETED: paging]] device while on school property[ADDED: during the school day][[DELETED: or while attending a ] [DELETED: school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off school ] [DELETED: property]]. The policy[ADDED: must][[DELETED: may]] establish disciplinary measures to be imposed for violation of the prohibition and may provide for confiscation of the[ADDED: personal communication][[DELETED: paging]] device. (b) The policy may provide for the[ADDED: school]district[ADDED: or ] [ADDED: open-enrollment charter school]to: (1)[ADDED: comply with this section by:] [ADDED: (A)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: prohibiting a student from bringing a ] [ or] [ADDED: (B)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: designating a method for the storage of a ] [ADDED: student's personal communication device while the student is on …

Sponsors

• Caroline Fairly (R, HD-087) · primary sponsor
• Jared Patterson (R, HD-106)
• James Talarico (D, HD-052)
• Brad Buckley (R, HD-054)
• Ann Johnson (D, HD-134)
• Daniel Alders (R, HD-006)
• Jeff Barry (R, HD-029)
• Cecil Bell (R, HD-003)
• Keith Bell (R, HD-004)
• Salman Bhojani (D, HD-092)
• Greg Bonnen (R, HD-024)
• John Bucy (D, HD-136)

Latest actions

1. June 20, 2025: Effective immediately
2. June 20, 2025: Signed by the Governor
3. May 28, 2025: Sent to the Governor
4. May 27, 2025: Signed in the Senate
5. May 27, 2025: Signed in the House
6. May 26, 2025: Reported enrolled
7. May 26, 2025: Senate passage reported
8. May 25, 2025: Passed
9. May 25, 2025: Read 3rd time
10. May 25, 2025: Record vote

Votes

• Public Education Committee Vote (Out of committee): 12 yea, 2 nay, passed
• Education K-16 Committee Vote (Out of committee): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Rules suspended-Three day rule (May 25, 2025): 31 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Read 3rd time (May 25, 2025): 31 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#511 (April 24, 2025): 144 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#470 (April 24, 2025): 128 yea, 17 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB1481?

HB1481 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature Regular Session): Relating to school district and open-enrollment charter school policies regarding student use of personal communication devices.

What does HB1481 do?

In its own words: An act relating to school district and open-enrollment charter school policies regarding student use of personal communication devices.

What is the status of HB1481?

Signed into law as of June 20, 2025. Latest action: Effective immediately (June 20, 2025).

Who sponsored HB1481?

Caroline Fairly (R, HD-087), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB1481?

On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB01481