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Student Resources

Personal Communication Device Policy

Personal Communication Device Policy

In June 2025, the Texas Legislature passed HB 1481, regarding student use of personal communication devices. The act requires boards of trustees of school districts to adopt, implement, and ensure the district or school complies with a written policy prohibiting a student from using a personal communication device while on school property during the school day. The policy must establish disciplinary measures to be imposed for violation of the prohibition.

The act requires that the policy must either:

A) Prohibit a student from bringing a personal communication device on school property; or

B) Designate a method for the storage of a student's personal communication device while the student is on school property during the school day.

The HCISD Board of Trustees chose to implement a policy designating a method for the storage of a student's personal communication device while the student is on school property during the school day rather than banning student personal communication devices from campuses entirely.

 

Board Policy FNCE (LOCAL)

 

Personal
Communication
Devices

A student shall not use a personal communication device on school property during the school day. While on school property, the student shall store any personal communication device in accordance with administrative regulations.

A student who violates this policy or any regulations shall be subject to discipline in accordance with the Board-adopted Student Code of Conduct.

An authorized District employee shall confiscate a student’s personal communication device that is used in violation of this policy or any applicable regulations.

If a personal communication device is not retrieved, the District shall dispose of the device after providing the notice required by law.

Exceptions

A student shall be authorized to use a personal communication device on school property during the school day only under the following circumstances:

1. The student’s use is necessary for implementation of the student’s individualized education program, a 504 plan, or a similar program or plan;

2. The student’s use is required due to a documented need based on a directive from a qualified physician; or

3. The student’s use is necessary to comply with a health or safety requirement imposed by law or as part of the District or campus safety protocols.

Implementation

The Superintendent shall develop regulations to implement this policy.

Compliance

Annually, the Superintendent shall report to the Board on the implementation and compliance of this policy.

Administrative Procedures

Hale Center ISD has implemented the following administrative procedures in alignment with Board Policy FNCE (LOCAL) prohibiting students from using personal communication devices while on school property during the school day, as required by Texas House Bill 1481. This legislation aims to reduce distractions, safeguard student privacy, and enhance the overall learning environment.

Beginning with the start of the 2025-26 school year, Hale Center ISD will require all students to leave their personal communication devices at home or power them off and store them away and out of sight while on school property during the school day.

Definitions
The school day begins at the signal of the first bell and ends at the signal of the dismissal bell, and includes tutorial periods, all instructional time, lunch, and passing periods.

A personal communication device includes a telephone, cell phone such as a smartphone or flip phone, tablet, smartwatch, radio device, paging device, gaming devices, earbuds or headphones, or any other electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication. Earbuds or headphones may be permitted by a classroom teacher for instructional use only. Devices provided by the district are not subject to this restriction.

Exceptions
Students may use personal communication devices only if required by the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Individual Accommodation Plan, or if the student has a documented medical directive for use of a personal communication device from a qualified physician.

Locker Rooms
See “School Day” definition above.

Field Trips and Extracurricular Travel
Personal communication devices may be used during field trips and extracurricular travel at the discretion of teachers, coaches, and sponsors.

Disciplinary Consequences

    • Verbal reprimand
    • Offense documented in Ascender
    • Parent notified

    • Device confiscated by campus administrator
    • Offense documented in Ascender
    • Additional disciplinary measure at campus administrator’s discretion
    • Parent/guardian meeting scheduled during which the parent/guardian will be asked to sign a letter of understanding outlining future disciplinary consequences

    Parent/guardian can retrieve the device from the campus office; student cannot possess the device on school property for the remainder of the day on which the offense occurred.

    • Device confiscated by campus administrator
    • Offense documented in Ascender
    • Parent notified
    • Up to one day of in-school suspension (ISS)

    Parent/guardian can retrieve the device from the campus office; student cannot possess the device on school property for the remainder of the day on which the offense occurred.

    • Device confiscated by campus administrator
    • Offense documented in Ascender
    • Parent notified
    • Up to three days of in-school suspension (ISS)

    Parent/guardian can retrieve the device from the campus office; student cannot possess the device on school property for the remainder of the day on which the offense occurred.

    • Device confiscated by campus administrator
    • Offense documented in Ascender
    • Parent notified
    • Up to five days of in-school suspension (ISS)

    Parent/guardian can retrieve the device from the campus office; student cannot possess the device on school property for the remainder of the day on which the offense occurred.

    • Device confiscated by campus administrator
    • Offense documented in Ascender
    • Parent notified
    • Up to ten days of in-school suspension (ISS)

    Parent/guardian can retrieve the device from the campus office; student cannot possess the device on school property for the remainder of the school year on which the offense occurred.

  • Subsequent offenses may result in additional in-school suspension (ISS), out-of-school suspension (OSS), or a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) placement for secondary students not to exceed ten days.

  • Refusal by a student to surrender a personal communication device when requested will be considered a violation of the HCISD Student Code of Conduct and could result in suspension or, for secondary students, placement in DAEP. Campus administrators will use administrative discretion to make a determination based on the student’s disciplinary history.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • House Bill 1481 (passed by the Texas Legislature in June 2025) mandates that all school districts develop a personal communication device policy prohibiting students from using personal communication devices while on school property during the school day.

  • A personal communication device includes a telephone, cell phone such as a smartphone or flip phone, tablet, smartwatch, radio device, paging device, gaming devices, earbuds or headphones, or any other electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication. Earbuds or headphones may be permitted by a classroom teacher for instructional use only. Devices provided by the district are not subject to this restriction. 

  • Students can use personal communication devices on school property until the first bell rings (the first bell is the bell for tutorial periods on high school campuses). Once the first bell rings, students must power personal communication devices off and store them out of sight. After the dismissal bell rings, students may once again use personal communication devices on school property.

  • Students are able to utilize the phone in the campus office to contact parents. Staff will assist students in making calls as needed.

  • If you need to reach your child for any reason during the school day, please call the campus office. Staff will relay your message or call your child to the office to return your call, if needed.

  • See “School Day” definition above.

  • Personal communication devices may be used during field trips and extracurricular travel at the discretion of teachers, coaches, and sponsors.

  • Students with documented accommodations for use of a personal communication device in an IEP or 504 plan, in addition to students with documented medical directives for use of a personal communication device from a qualified physician, will be permitted to use personal communication devices as specified in the IEP, 504 plan, or medical directive.