House Bill 1481 was passed during the 89th Texas Legislative Session and signed into law by Governor Abbott as part of a statewide initiative to promote focused learning environments, reduce distractions in classrooms, and limit cyberbullying and social media misuse during school hours.
The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year and requires public school districts across the state to prohibit students from using personal electronic communication devices that can send or receive data on school property during the school day, including during passing periods and at lunch.
This includes, but is not limited to:
Cell Phones
Smart Watches
Fitness Trackers with messaging capabilities
Bluetooth Earbuds or Headphones
Tablets and Personal Computers
Gaming Devices
Two-Way Radios
Pagers
Any other device capable of telecommunication or digital communication
Students will use district-issued devices for instructional purposes.
Exceptions are provided for students with documented medical needs, special education accommodations, or other health and safety requirements as outlined by law.
While Azle ISD already had campus-level cell phone expectations for our secondary and elementary campuses, we are working on a district-wide policy that aligns with the new legal requirements in HB 1481 for the 2025–2026 school year. Additional details will be shared relating to the new policy as it develops.
We encourage parents and guardians to begin discussing this upcoming change with their student(s) to help families be prepared when school starts in August.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we work together to ensure a smooth transition and compliance with this new state law.
