HB 1481: Personal Communication Device Policy

In 2025, the 89th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1481 (HB 1481), requiring all Texas public school districts and charter schools to adopt and implement a policy prohibiting students from using personal communication devices while on school property during the school day.

Under the law, personal communication devices include cell phones, smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, radio devices and other electronic devices capable of telecommunication or digital communication.

HPISD has implemented policies and procedures to comply with HB 1481. Because procedures and consequences may vary by grade level or campus, families are encouraged to review the information below for their student's school.

Resources

District-Issued Devices at HPHS

District- Issued Devices at MIS/HPMS

Personal Device Policy Violations & Consequences

Highland Park High School

Please refer to the code of conduct and the Kiltie for more information.

Offense	Consequences
1st Offense*	• Personal Communication Device stored in the assistant principal’s office for the remainder of the day; parent/guardian notified. • Warning issued to student and parent/guardian regarding further consequences. • Device returned to the student at the end of the day. • Offense recorded in Skyward using the cell phone violation action code.
2nd Offense	• Personal Communication Device stored in the assistant principal’s office for the remainder of the day; parent/guardian notified. • 3 days of lunch detention. • Device returned to the parent/guardian at the end of the day. • Offense recorded in Skyward using the cell phone violation action code.
3rd Offense	• Personal Communication Device stored in the assistant principal’s office for the remainder of the day; parent/guardian notified. • 1 Saturday School. • Device returned to the parent/guardian at the end of the day. • Offense recorded in Skyward using the cell phone violation action code.
4th Offense & Beyond	• Personal Communication Device stored in the assistant principal’s office for the remainder of the day; parent/guardian notified. • Violation considered insubordination. • At least 1 day and up to 3 days of ISS. • Device returned to the parent/guardian at the end of the day. • Offense recorded in Skyward using the cell phone violation action code and a Code of Conduct violation for insubordination.
Decoy/Fake Phone in Yondr Pouch	• Student must turn in their Personal Communication Device, which will be stored in the assistant principal’s office for the remainder of the day. • 1 Saturday School. • Device returned to the parent/guardian at the end of the day. • Offense recorded in Skyward using the cell phone violation action code and counts as an offense toward a personal device violation on this matrix.

HPMS & MIS

Offense	Consequences
1st Offense	• Device stored in the assistant principal’s office for the day; parent/guardian notified. • Warning issued to student and parent/guardian regarding further consequences. • Device returned to parent/guardian at the end of the day. • Offense recorded in Skyward.
2nd Offense	• Device stored in the assistant principal’s office for the day; parent/guardian notified. • Warning issued to student and parent/guardian regarding further consequences. • Device returned to parent/guardian at the end of the day. • Offense recorded in Skyward.
3rd Offense	• Device stored in the assistant principal’s office for the day; parent/guardian notified. • Up to 3 days of lunch detention. • Device returned to parent/guardian at the end of the day. • Offense recorded in Skyward.
4th Offense	• Device stored in the assistant principal’s office for the day; parent/guardian notified. • Up to 3 days of After School Detention. • Device returned to parent/guardian at the end of the day. • Offense recorded in Skyward.
5th Offense & Beyond	• Device stored in the assistant principal’s office for the day; parent/guardian notified. • Up to 3 days of In School Suspension (ISS). • Device returned to parent/guardian at the end of the day. • Offense recorded in Skyward.

Elementary Schools

Cell Phone Use for Students: This policy includes electronic devices such as Apple/Smart watches and other multifunction devices that either take pictures, have the ability to send and receive text messages and/or make phone calls.

Students may use the office phone in the case of an emergency with a note from their teacher.
Students may bring cellphones to school for the purposes of safety only. They are to remain turned off and inside backpacks. Cell phones are not allowed to be used while the child is in the custody of the HPISD. This time period starts when the doors open each school day at 7:30 am and extends to the time the student exits the building. These guidelines will be followed during after school activities, field trips, including time spent on school buses.
If a cell phone rings or if a student is using one without permission, staff will follow this protocol: confiscate it and send it to the office. After the first infraction, the student may pick up the item at the end of the school day. After a second infraction, a parent must pick up the item.
The school will not be responsible for any lost, stolen, damaged, or confiscated phones, or for usage fees resulting from such confiscation.

Students with cell phones/electronic watchers should have them stored in backpacks and turned off during the school day from 7:30 a.m. until they exit the building. Student cell phones/electronic watches should never be in use or visible. Student cellular devices such as smart watches, and cell phones will not be visible/utilized

Offense	Consequences
1st Offense	• Device will be confiscated and taken to the designated campus office. • Student may retrieve the device at the end of the school day.
2nd Offense	• Device will be confiscated and taken to the designated campus office. • A parent/guardian will be required to pick up the device.

Offense

Consequences

1st Offense

• Device will be confiscated and taken to the designated campus office.

• Student may retrieve the device at the end of the school day.

2nd Offense

• Device will be confiscated and taken to the designated campus office.

• A parent/guardian will be required to pick up the device.

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HB 1481: Personal Communication Device Policy

Resources

Personal Device Policy Violations & Consequences

Highland Park High School

HPMS & MIS

Elementary Schools

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