House Bill 1481 is a new state law passed by the Texas Legislature that requires school districts to prohibit students from using personal communication devices during the school day.

HB 1481 defines personal communication devices 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.

This includes:

• Cell phone
• Text messaging device
• Laptop
• Tablet
• Smartwatch
• Smart Glasses
• Other similar devices

HB 1481 takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Elementary Campuses:

At G-PISD elementary campuses, students will not be permitted to use personal communication devices or other “smart” devices throughout the school day. If a student chooses to bring a personal communication device to school, it must remain turned off and stored with their belongings, such as a backpack. To ensure consistent enforcement of the policy, device pouches will be used at the elementary level as needed. If a cell phone is seen or used during the school day, school guidelines will be followed, and appropriate follow-up actions may be taken.

Middle School and High School:

At G-PISD middle and high school campuses, device pouches will be issued to students for securing their personal communication devices during the school day. Students will be required to place their devices in the magnetically sealed pouch each morning and keep them secured throughout the school day. At dismissal, students may unlock their pouches at designated unlock stations located on campus. If a cell phone is seen or used during the school day, school guidelines will be followed, and appropriate follow-up actions may be taken.

No.

No. 

They will not be required to use the device pouch. This also applies to high school students who drive to school and choose to leave their devices in their vehicles. 

At dismissal, students can unlock their device pouch at designated unlock stations located on campus. These stations use magnets to release the lock, similar to the security tags found in retail stores.

The statute allows exceptions for medical needs and requires schools to permit the use of communication devices in specific situations, including:

1. When required by an IEP or 504 plan.
2. For medically documented conditions.
3. When necessary to comply with health or safety requirements mandated by law or district and school safety protocols.

Students will keep their device pouches with them, so they are responsible for securing their devices upon arrival. If a student checks out early, they will unlock their pouch at the front office during the checkout process.

Since students will have their device pouch with them, they can lock their cell phones anywhere. To support dismissal, unlocking magnet stations will be placed at appropriate locations.

Magnets will be mounted in strategic locations across the campus. As a reminder, every classroom is equipped with a phone capable of dialing 911. If students are relocated to another site, portable magnets will be brought and placed as needed to ensure unlocking access. Additionally, we have a plan in place to allow appropriate access to devices if they are deemed necessary during a lockdown or emergency.

All students are provided with Chromebooks, which offer all the tools needed for academic work.

Decisions regarding their use will be made at the campus/department level.

Decisions regarding their use will be made at the campus/department level.

Parents can reach their child by contacting the front office.

Students are allowed to use headphones, including wireless earbuds, with their Chromebooks.

If the school is still open, a student can return later that day to unlock it. Otherwise, they will need to wait until the following morning.

High School and Middle School:

• 1^st offense: Device will be confiscated, and parent/guardian must pick up device.
• 2^nd offense: Device will be confiscated, and parent/guardian must pick up device.
• 3^rd offense: Device will be confiscated, parent/guardian must pick up device, and device will be prohibited from school property for the remainder of year.

If a student does not willingly relinquish his/her device(s) or brings device after being prohibited, this will be considered insubordination and further consequences may be imposed.

Elementary:

• 1^st offense: Device will be confiscated, and parent/guardian must pick up device.
• 2^nd offense: Device will be confiscated, parent/guardian must pick up device, and device pouch will be issued.
• 3^rd offense: Device will be confiscated, parent/guardian must pick up device, and device prohibited from school property for remainder of year.

If a student does not willingly relinquish his/her device(s) or brings device after being prohibited, this will be considered insubordination and further consequences may be imposed.

Appropriate follow-up actions will be taken in line with the student code of conduct.

If this happens, the student should take the pouch to the office to have it unlocked, then power down the cell phone before relocking it. Accidents can occur, but cell phones should be placed in airplane mode or turned off during the school day. This incident will be documented, and appropriate follow-up or disciplinary steps may be taken if the behavior becomes repeated.

Students receive a free CellockED device pouch at the beginning of the school year or upon enrollment for middle and high school. If the pouch is lost or damaged, the student must purchase a replacement, similar to replacing a student ID. Lost pouches should be reported first thing in the morning to receive a replacement. Intentional damage, such as attempting to pry open the pouch, will result in confiscation and appropriate disciplinary action, in line with the procedures for using a cell phone during the school day.

The student should power off their cell phone and turn it into the office first thing in the morning. The device can be picked up at the end of the day. If the student chooses not to do this and their cell phone or electronic device is seen or used during the school day, the situation will be addressed according to established school policies.

Please reach out to your student’s campus Principal or Assistant Principal.

Visit https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/HB01481F.htm to read about HB 1481.

House Bill 1481 applies only to students, not teachers or staff. Our educators and staff may still use their cell phones when needed for school-related purposes, such as taking attendance, conference periods, communicating with parents through Remind (an approved app), or responding to campus needs. Staff are expected to model appropriate device use while focusing on student learning and safety.

G-PISD understands parents’ concerns about dismissal times. We have developed a plan and procedure to ensure students can unlock their devices quickly and efficiently before leaving campus. This process is designed to minimize any delays and help students transition smoothly at the end of the school day. Each campus will have flexibility and supplies to modify its exit process if adjustments are needed.