As Texas schools ban cellphones, Denton ISD found parents receptive to pilot program limiting devices

It’s the law as of Sept. 1: Texas students on K-12 campuses can’t use their cellphones or personal devices during the school day.

If they do, their teachers and principals can take them away. So far, most local school districts have adopted policies during regular July and August school board meetings and have announced their rules go into effect on the first day of school.

Lawmakers passed House Bill 1481 during the 89th Legislature. The law requires school boards to adopt and enforce a policy that keeps personal communication devices out of students’ hands on campus during the school day.

The law lets school districts decide where students can store their phones. The law requires schools to have disciplinary action in place for students who break the rules, including the possibility o