Relating to a policy prohibiting the use of personal wireless communication devices by public school students during instructional time.
SB 2365 would require Texas public school districts and charter schools to adopt policies banning students from using personal wireless devices (like smartphones, tablets, or laptops not issued by the school) during class time. The bill allows exceptions for devices needed for individualized education programs (IEPs), documented medical needs, or health/safety requirements. School boards must implement these policies starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill directly affects all public school students in Texas during instructional periods, with limited exceptions for specific educational or safety needs.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 12, 2025
Last action Apr 17, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Engrossed
·
4 edits
·
Apr 15, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was reformatted from an introduced version to an engrossed version with updated language and structure. The core policy prohibiting personal wireless devices during instructional time remains, but the definition of covered devices was refined and new exceptions were added for educational programs, medical needs, and safety requirements. The effective date was changed from September 1, 2025 to the 2025-2026 school year.
Scope change
The scope remains focused on public school students during instructional time, but the definition of prohibited devices was expanded to explicitly include laptops, cell phones, and tablets, while adding specific exceptions for educational and medical necessities.
DEFINITION
The definition of 'personal wireless communication device' was updated to explicitly list laptops, cell phones, and tablets as examples.
REQUIREMENT
New subsection (c) was added requiring school boards to authorize device use for individualized education programs, medical directives, and health or safety requirements.
TIMELINE
The effective date was changed from September 1, 2025 to the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.
TECHNICAL
Formatting and structural elements were updated to reflect the engrossed version status, including bill number and sponsor information.
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
28
Key actions
6
Committee
7
Apr 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Public Education
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Committee
Referred to Education K-16
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
10 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Adam Hinojosa
RRepublican
P
Angela Paxton
RRepublican
P
Brandon Creighton
RRepublican
P
Brent Hagenbuch
RRepublican
P
Donna Campbell
RRepublican
P
JM
José Menéndez
DDemocratic
P
Mayes Middleton
RRepublican
P
Paul Bettencourt
RRepublican
P
Royce West
DDemocratic
P
Tan Parker
RRepublican
Co
Bob Hall
RRepublican
Co
KH
Kelly Hancock
RRepublican
Co
Kevin Sparks
RRepublican
Co
Lois Kolkhorst
RRepublican
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