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Bill

HB 1258

Relating to public school policies regarding student possession of personal communication devices; authorizing a fee.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Cecil Bell

Texas bill authorizing public schools to establish statewide policies restricting student phone possession and collect implementation fees from families.

Referred to Public Education
#electronicequipment(s0554) #education--primary&secondary--charterschools(i0245) #education--primary&secondary--general(i0230) #education--schooldistricts(i0220) #electronicinformationsystems(i0311) #smartstudentsnotdevices(px1ck)
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Bill Summary · HB 1258

Legislative bill overview

HB 1258 would establish state policies governing student possession of personal communication devices (primarily phones) in Texas public schools and authorize schools to charge fees for implementing related policies. The bill appears designed to create a framework for schools to manage or restrict student device use during instructional time.

Why is this important

Phone policies in schools directly affect classroom management, student distraction, and academic performance—issues that parents, educators, and policymakers debate frequently. Authorizing fees could create new revenue for schools but also raise equity concerns about which families can afford device management programs. This represents a statewide attempt to standardize what has historically been a local district decision.

Potential points of contention

  • Fee equity: Schools charging families for phone management policies could disadvantage low-income students or create two-tiered access to education
  • Scope of restrictions: Whether policies focus on classroom use only or extend to lunch, hallways, and before/after school activities affects student autonomy and parent oversight
  • Implementation burden: Schools may lack infrastructure or staff training to enforce uniform statewide policies effectively
  • Privacy concerns: Device collection, storage, or monitoring systems raise questions about student data security and Fourth Amendment protections

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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