Texas House Bill 1481 has banned the use of cell phones and most personal electronic devices throughout schools in Texas. While Azle Independent School District already had its own ban on cell phones, it has recently reshaped its policy to adhere to new legal requirements.
Previously, per the district’s student handbook, students could possess personal cell phones for safety purposes; however, the devices must remain turned off during the instructional day, including during all testing, unless they’ve been approved for inclass use.
Under prior district policy, if a student was found using an electronic communications device without permission, teachers collected the items and turned them over to the principal who determined whether to return items to students at the end of the day or to contact parents to pick up the items. The use of cell phones or any device capable of capturing images is strictly prohibited in locker rooms and restrooms.
