The Brief
- The Texas House approved HB 1481 on Wednesday.
- This legislation mandates that mobile devices must be stored securely and kept out of sight in designated areas throughout the class time.
- The legislation will now move on to the Senate.
AUSTIN, Texas
–
The
Texas
The House moved forward with legislation on Wednesday that mandates the creation of a secure, concealed space for storing phones during class hours.
House Bill 1481
sailed through the House on Wednesday on a 136-10 vote.
Amarillo Republican Rep. Caroline Fairly, the bill’s author, said restricting cellphones in classrooms can lead to higher test scores and help teachers better manage their classrooms while improving mental health in students.
“We are targeting being sure that our kids go to school to focus on academics, but we also protect them,”
Fairly said on a recent episode of Texas: The Issue Is
You know, the level of cyberbullying mentioned in these schools has increased significantly.
Approximately 20 to 25 school districts currently prohibit cell phones in classrooms, as stated by Fairly. She mentioned that the bill gives each school district the authority to establish appropriate penalties for non-compliance with this regulation.
The other side
Those against confiscating cellphones from students express concerns over being able to contact their children during emergencies.
Previously, Fairly proposed that children using their phones during emergencies such as a school shooting might attract attention due to the noise, potentially turning them into targets.
What’s next
The legislation will now move to the Senate, where it may undergo committee debates before being put up for voting on the Senate floor.
The Source
Details regarding the passage of House Bill 1481 originate from the Texas Legislature. Earlier remarks made by Representative Fairly were featured during an interview with FOX 4’s Steven Dial as part of their show “Texas: The Issue” on March 23, 2025.
