HB 1481 - Cell Phone Guidelines

Student Personal Device Guidelines

During the state’s 2025 legislative session, lawmakers passed and Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a bill that prohibits students from using personal devices during school hours. 

House Bill 1481 takes effect the 2025-2026 school year and requires all Texas school districts to prohibit students from using "personal wireless communication devices," which the law defines as “any wireless electronic communication device, other than a device provided to students by a school for instructional purposes, capable of transmitting and/or receiving data.”

What Devices are Restricted:

• Personal cell phones

• Tablets

• Gaming devices

• Smart watches

• Bluetooth headphones or earbuds

• Fitness trackers that can send or receive messages

• Personal computers not being used for instructional purposes

• Two-way radios

• Pagers

• Any other device capable of digital communication.

What Devices are Allowed:

Devices purchased and issued by Pflugerville ISD are exempt from this restriction.

What this means for Pflugerville ISD:

• Students are expected to either leave personal communication devices at home or power them off and store them securely in their backpacks during the day. Device use is not permitted at any time during school hours, which includes passing periods and lunch times.

• Exceptions will be made for documented medical needs and special education accommodations. (Families who wish to request this exception should work directly with their campus nurse or administrator)

PfISD leaders understand this is a big change for our students and families, and have developed a phased-in approach to help students and families adjust.

During the first nine weeks of school, we’ll focus on education and grace. Students will receive reminders, and staff will take time to explain the new expectations. Each campus will have a designated point person to help guide this transition, and families will receive information through school emails, newsletters, websites, and social media.

During this transition phase, the consequences for cell phone use will be progressive. Once we’ve given students time to learn the expectations, enforcement will shift to immediate and progressive consequences without verbal warnings.

The law is designed to support student learning, reduce distractions, and limit the potential for cyberbullying. To help students adjust, families are encouraged to speak with their students about this change and perhaps consider practicing being device-free at home.