The Texas Legislature recently passed a new state law, House Bill 1481, that will impact all Texas public schools. The new law prohibits the use of cellphones and other personal communication devices during the school day. This is not a Princeton ISD policy change, but a legal requirement that all districts must follow beginning with the 2025-26 school year.

Under HB 1481, students may not use personal devices at any time during the instructional day, from the first bell to the last. This includes classrooms, hallways, passing periods and lunch. Devices must remain off, out of sight and securely stored for the duration of the school day.

The law applies to personal communication devices, such as:

• Cellphones and smartphones
• Smartwatches
• Tablets
• Smartglasses
• Any communication-capable device not issued by the district for instructional purposes, including personal laptops

There are a few important exceptions, including:

• Devices required by a student’s IEP or 504 plan
• Documented medical needs
• Emergency safety situations

Princeton ISD is in the process of finalizing what this will look like for our campuses, and we will share more information as it is available to help everyone prepare for the transition.

We appreciate your support and hope you can begin discussing this change with your children. We know this is an adjustment, but the intent behind the law is to limit distractions and help students stay focused on learning. Thank you as we partner together to maintain an environment to support student achievement.