HB 2205
AN ACT relating to a policy prohibiting the use of personal electronic
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Requires all Texas public school districts and charter schools to implement a policy banning students from using personal electronic devices (like smartphones, tablets) during instructional time, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. This policy applies to students' personal devices that can connect to cellular networks, excluding school-issued devices, and aims to minimize digital distractions and improve classroom focus. The policy will be mandatory for all school districts and open-enrollment charter schools, giving them guidelines to reduce student device usage during learning hours.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to a policy prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices by public school students during instructional time. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 38.0232 to read as follows: Sec. 38.0232. PROHIBITED USE OF PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING INSTRUCTIONAL TIME. (a) In this section, "personal electronic device" means a device other than a device issued to an enrolled student by a school district or open-enrollment charter school that is capable of connecting to a cellular network or the (b) Notwithstanding Section 38.0231, the board of trustees of a school district and the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school shall adopt a policy prohibiting a student in the district or school from using a personal electronic device during SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill Sponsors
Legislators who authored or co-sponsored this bill.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to a policy prohibiting the use of personal electronic
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