COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Governor Greg Abbott was in Amarillo on Friday for the official signing of House Bill 1481.
The new state law bans students from bringing ‘personal communication devices’ such as cell phones will take effect at the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
“We have to make sure that during the few minutes we have in a class where children have the opportunity to learn a particular subject in that class, that their full attention is devoted to that subject,” Governor Abbott said during the signing.
KBTX spoke to multiple students who attend College Station ISD schools about how they are feeling about the new bill.
Peyton Kosh, soon to be high school senior says, kids in her grade aren’t happy about it.
“I’ve had my phone for the last three years of high school and now that I’m in my last year it’s going to be a really big change not having my phone,” Peyton said.
Her brother Adam, who is in middle school, says he isn’t worried about it.
“At my age were not allowed to use cellphones at school anyways so it’s not going to be a huge change for me it’s going to be the same thing so I’m not too against it,” Adam explained.
But another student, Tripp Fulton, said the new law is too strict.
“Phones at free time areas like not in class or when you’re being taught, I feel like that would be okay but just not having them at lunch or anything, I think that’s a bit too much,” Tripp shared.
Jaxon Salinas, who was with his mom said he had safety concerns.
“What if you have to call your mom for an emergency or something, you can’t really have it out in class or anything,” said Jaxon.
But Adam Kosh has faith in his school’s ability to keep them safe.
“If there’s a tornado, and a kid’s really scared and they call their parents to come pick them up. That puts the parent in danger of getting injured by the tornado too driving there. Because as a parent you can only worry about your kid,” Adam explained.
Both Bryan and College STation ISD have announced on social media that they will be in full compliance with the state law as they work out details in their policy update.
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