AUSTIN (KXAN) Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a recently passed bill into law Sunday that will ban K-12 students from using cell phones and other personal communications devices during the school day.

House Bill 1481 takes effect immediately; however, it is still months ahead of the 2025-2026 school year.

The new law applies to public school and open-enrollment charter schools. Schools and districts will need to create policies to either store students’ devices or prohibit devices on campus.

The bill, authored by State Rep. Caroline Fairly, R-Amarillo, was pitched as a means to boost young Texans’ mental health.

“The reality is our generation is more depressed, anxious, less focused and more distracted than ever before,” she said during a March meeting of the Texas House Committee on Public Education.

Disposal of confiscated devices under HB 1481 can only occur 90 days after notice is sent to a parent or guardian. However, students with documented health or safety needs will be allowed to keep their devices, if required.

The law specifically covers cell phones, smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, radios, pagers, or “any other electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication.”

Kathryn Emery, a licensed professional counselor with Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry in Cedar Park, spoke with KXAN about the bill during our 11 a.m. show on Monday.