HB515 - Relating to public school policies regarding student use of personal electronic devices.

      By: Troxclair H.B. No. 515       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to public school policies regarding student use of   personal electronic devices.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 38.028 to read as follows:           Sec.   38.028.     RESTRICTIONS ON STUDENT USE OF PERSONAL   ELECTRONIC DEVICES. (a)   In this section:                 (1)     "Lockable container" means a reusable secure case,   pouch, or bag that has a locking mechanism and can be used to   securely store a personal electronic device.                 (2)     "Personal electronic device" means a device   carried on the person that is capable of displaying, delivering,   producing, or otherwise providing access in a digital format to   text, audio, images, or videos.   The term does not apply to a device   issued for educational purposes by a school district.           (b)     The board of trustees of a school district shall adopt a   written policy prohibiting students from using a personal   electronic device during the school day.           (c)  A policy adopted under this section must:                 (1)     require each student to place immediately on   arriving at a district campus during regular school hours, or   before the beginning of the regular school day if the student   arrives at a district campus before regular school hours, each of   the student's personal electronic devices in a secure location or   storage device, such as a lockable container, provided by the   district that:                       (A)     prevents the student from viewing or using   the device during the regular school day; and                       (B)     is made accessible for the student to   retrieve the device at the end of the school day;                 (2)     include enforcement provisions to ensure strict   compliance with the policy by students and district employees;                 (3)     provide that a student may contact the student's   parent or caregiver during the school day if needed by using a   telephone made available to the student in a manner and location   designated by the district; and                 (4)     authorize a student to access a personal   electronic device during the school day if a medical professional   provides written documentation indicating that the student's   access to the device is necessary to manage or treat a medical   condition diagnosed by the professional.           (d)     The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this   section, including rules to ensure the collection by the agency and   uniform reporting by school districts to the agency of data   regarding the effectiveness of policies adopted under this section.           (e)     The agency annually until 2030 shall post a report on   the agency's Internet website regarding the data collected under   Subsection (d).   The report must contain data that measures:                 (1)     the effects of policies adopted under this section   on student behavior, mental health, and disciplinary incidents; and                 (2)     opinions of students and district employees   regarding the policies.          SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026   school year.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.