HB 515

relating to public school policies regarding student use of
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 38.028 to read as follows:
Sec. 38.028.  RESTRICTIONS ON STUDENT USE OF PERSONAL
ELECTRONIC DEVICES.  (a)  In this section:
(1)  "Lockable container" means a reusable secure case,
pouch, or bag that has a locking mechanism and can be used to
securely store a personal electronic device.
(2)  "Personal electronic device" means a device
carried on the person that is capable of displaying, delivering,
producing, or otherwise providing access in a digital format to
text, audio, images, or videos.  The term does not apply to a device
issued for educational purposes by a school district.
(b)  The board of trustees of a school district shall adopt a
written policy prohibiting students from using a personal
electronic device during the school day.
(c)  A policy adopted under this section must:
(1)  require each student to place immediately on
arriving at a district campus during regular school hours, or
before the beginning of the regular school day if the student
arrives at a district campus before regular school hours, each of
the student's personal electronic devices in a secure location or
storage device, such as a lockable container, provided by the
(A)  prevents the student from viewing or using
the device during the regular school day; and
(B)  is made accessible for the student to
retrieve the device at the end of the school day;
(2)  include enforcement provisions to ensure strict
compliance with the policy by students and district employees;
(3)  provide that a student may contact the student's
parent or caregiver during the school day if needed by using a
telephone made available to the student in a manner and location
designated by the district; and
(4)  authorize a student to access a personal
electronic device during the school day if a medical professional
provides written documentation indicating that the student's
access to the device is necessary to manage or treat a medical
condition diagnosed by the professional.
(d)  The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this
section, including rules to ensure the collection by the agency and
uniform reporting by school districts to the agency of data
regarding the effectiveness of policies adopted under this section.
(e)  The agency annually until 2030 shall post a report on
the agency's Internet website regarding the data collected under
Subsection (d).  The report must contain data that measures:
(1)  the effects of policies adopted under this section
on student behavior, mental health, and disciplinary incidents; and
(2)  opinions of students and district employees
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.