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Signed Into Law
Signed June 20, 2025Effective 2025-06-20
HB1481

Regular Session

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

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

HB1481: Government Affairs Overview

Texas law now mandates that all school districts and open-enrollment charter schools adopt and enforce a policy prohibiting student use of personal communication devices (including smartwatches) on school property during the school day. The statutory authority allowing districts to charge an administrative fee (previously up to $15) for the return of confiscated devices has been repealed, necessitating immediate changes to financial and disciplinary protocols.

Rep. Caroline Fairly·House Bill·Regular Session

Critical
Medium Cost
Effective:2025-06-20
Enforcing Agencies

Local School District Boards of Trustees • Open-Enrollment Charter School Governing Bodies • Texas Education Agency (TEA)

Business Impact

Who HB1481 Affects

This legislation has regulatory implications for the following Texas businesses and organizations:

Regulatory Priority: critical

Significant regulatory changes (effective 2025-06-20). Review with your legal and compliance teams to understand implications.

🎓

Education

Affected business types:

  • School districts
  • Charter schools
  • Private schools
  • Education service providers
View all education legislation

Key Operational Considerations

  • 1Student Code of Conduct: Must be amended to reflect the mandatory ban and the removal of return fees.
  • 2Disposal Services: Contracts with electronics recyclers should be reviewed to ensure they provide certificates of data destruction, as you may now dispose of unclaimed devices after 90 days.
  • 3Staff Training: Teachers must be trained on the new definition of "personal communication device," which now explicitly includes smartwatches.

Estimated Cost Impact

mediumModerate costs expected for implementation.

Enforcing Agencies

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HB1481
Relating to school district and open-enrollment charter school policies regarding student use of personal communication devices.
Critical Urgency
Passed with Opposition
House Vote128 - 17
YEA
88% in favor145 voting
Senate Vote31 - 0
YEA
100% in favor31 voting
17
Total Opposition Votes
Cost Impact
Medium
Effective
2025-06-20
Enforcing Agencies
Local School District Boards of ...Open-Enrollment Charter School G...TEA
Primary Author: Rep. Caroline Fairly
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
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Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: June 20, 2025 (The law is currently in effect).
  • Compliance Deadline: September 18, 2025 (Districts have a statutory 90-day grace period from the effective date to formally adopt the required policy).
  • Agency Rulemaking: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) must publish model policy language "as soon as practicable."
  • *Regulatory Warning:* Do not delay local adoption while waiting for TEA guidance if it risks missing the September 18 deadline.

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. Cease Collections: Issue an immediate directive to campus finance clerks to stop collecting administrative fees for returned devices.
  • 2. Draft Policy: Draft the new policy immediately, deciding between a "Total Ban" (no devices on property) or "Storage Mandate" (devices powered off in bags/lockers).
  • 3. Audit Rosters: Cross-reference student rolls with Special Education and 504 coordinators to identify exempt students before the first day of school.
  • 4. Board Vote: Schedule the policy adoption vote for the July or August board meeting to ensure compliance before the September 18 deadline.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Student Code of Conduct: Must be amended to reflect the mandatory ban and the removal of return fees.
  • Vendor Agreements: If your district opts for physical locking mechanisms (e.g., Yondr pouches or lockers), procurement contracts must be expedited immediately to ensure delivery before the fall semester.
  • Disposal Services: Contracts with electronics recyclers should be reviewed to ensure they provide certificates of data destruction, as you may now dispose of unclaimed devices after 90 days.

Hiring/Training

  • Staff Training: Teachers must be trained on the new definition of "personal communication device," which now explicitly includes smartwatches.
  • Liability Protocols: Staff must be trained on "chain of custody." By confiscating property without the ability to charge a fee, the district acts as a gratuitous bailee. Staff must secure confiscated items in locked storage immediately to avoid district liability for theft or loss.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Exemption Registry: Administrators must create a verified list of students exempt from the ban due to:
  • 1. Individualized Education Programs (IEP).
  • 2. Section 504 plans.
  • 3. Documented directives from a qualified physician.
  • Disposal Notice: You must update your notification forms. If a device is unclaimed, you must provide 90 days' written notice (previously 30) to the parent before disposing of the device. The requirement to notify the telecommunications carrier has been removed.

Fees & Costs

  • Fee Elimination: The $15 administrative fee for device return is illegal as of June 20, 2025. Remove this revenue line item from campus budgets immediately.
  • Hardware Costs: Budget for secure storage solutions (safes for front offices, locking pouches, or classroom lockers) as indicated in the Fiscal Note.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • "Safety Protocols" Exception: Section 37.082(c)(3) allows device use if necessary for "safety protocols." The statute does not define this.
  • *Risk:* Without a strict local definition, parents may argue that mere possession of a phone for calling 911 constitutes a "safety protocol."
  • *Guidance:* Define "safety protocols" narrowly in your policy (e.g., restricted to specific emergency apps or active shooter drills) to prevent this exception from nullifying the ban.
  • Smartwatch Enforcement: Distinguishing between non-connected digital watches and smartwatches is operationally difficult. Your policy must explicitly state whether *all* wrist-worn electronics are banned or if "airplane mode" is sufficient.

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JD Key Consulting specializes in Texas regulatory compliance strategy. Work directly with James Dickey—former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas—to understand this bill's impact on your operations and develop an actionable compliance plan.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

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Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Dec 2, 2024
Passed House
Apr 24, 2025
Passed Senate
May 25, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
Effective
Jun 20, 2025
TopicsEducationEducation--primary & SecondaryEducation--primary & Secondary--charter SchoolsEducation--primary & Secondary--generalEducation--school DistrictsEmail & Electronic CommunicationsEducation Agency, Texas
03

House Authors

Rep. Caroline FairlyRepublican · Primary Author
Joint Authors
Coauthors (82)

Senate Sponsors

Sen. Charles CreightonRepublican · Primary Sponsor
Cosponsors (7)

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

Related Legislation

Explore more bills from this author and on related topics

More from Rep. Caroline Fairly

View all bills by Rep. Caroline Fairly

Related by Topic

View more Education legislation
Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about HB1481

Q

What does Texas HB1481 do?

Texas law now mandates that all school districts and open-enrollment charter schools adopt and enforce a policy prohibiting student use of personal communication devices (including smartwatches) on school property during the school day. The statutory authority allowing districts to charge an administrative fee (previously up to $15) for the return of confiscated devices has been repealed, necessitating immediate changes to financial and disciplinary protocols.

Q

Who authored HB1481?

HB1481 was authored by Texas Representative Caroline Fairly during the Regular Session.

Q

When was HB1481 signed into law?

HB1481 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce HB1481?

HB1481 is enforced by Local School District Boards of Trustees, Open-Enrollment Charter School Governing Bodies and Texas Education Agency (TEA).

Q

How significant are the changes in HB1481?

The regulatory priority for HB1481 is rated as "critical". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of HB1481?

The cost impact of HB1481 is estimated as "medium". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does HB1481 address?

HB1481 addresses topics including education, education--primary & secondary, education--primary & secondary--charter schools, education--primary & secondary--general and education--school districts.

Q

What are the key dates for HB1481?

Key dates for HB1481: Effective date is 2025-06-20. Rulemaking: Develop and publish model language for the required personal communication device policy on the agency website. (As soon as practicable); Adopt, implement, and ensure compliance with a written policy prohibiting student use of personal communication devices during the school day (90 days post-effective date). (2025-09-18). Consult wit

Q

What are the penalties under HB1481?

HB1481 establishes the following penalties: administrative penalty of Confiscation and potential disposal of device for Student use of personal communication device on school property during the school day in violation of district policy.. Consult with legal counsel for specific applicability to your situation.

Need Strategic Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting is an Austin, Texas-based government affairs firm led by James Dickey, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. We specialize in Texas regulatory compliance and legislative strategy for data centers, energy, banking, and manufacturing.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: January 11, 2026