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Bill

HB 515

Relating to public school policies regarding student use of personal electronic devices.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Daniel Alders and 72 co-sponsors

HB 515 would establish state guidelines for Texas public school policies on student personal electronic device use during school hours, creating uniform standards across districts.

Referred to Public Education
#education #commissionerof(v9954) #electronicequipment(s0554) #education--primary&secondary--general(i0230) #electronicinformationsystems(i0311)
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Bill Summary · HB 515

Legislative bill overview

HB 515 would establish state policies governing how Texas public schools manage student use of personal electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) during school hours. The bill aims to create standardized guidelines across districts regarding when, where, and how students can use these devices in educational settings.

Why is this important

Student device use has become a significant issue for schools nationwide, with research suggesting both benefits (educational tools) and drawbacks (classroom distraction, mental health concerns). This legislation would move Texas toward uniform standards rather than allowing wide variation between school districts, affecting approximately 5.5 million public school students and their learning environments.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of restrictions: Debate over whether policies should be mandatory phone bans, limited to classroom hours only, or allow teacher discretion—affecting pedagogical freedom and student autonomy differently
  • Accommodation concerns: Questions about exemptions for students with disabilities, medical conditions, or 504 plans who may rely on devices for accessibility or health monitoring
  • Implementation costs: Training requirements and monitoring mechanisms could impose financial burdens on districts with limited technology budgets, potentially affecting smaller rural schools disproportionately
  • Parent access: Uncertainty about emergency communication protocols—whether parents can reach children or vice versa during school hours

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

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