Use of Personal Communication Devices During the School Day

FAQs About Personal Communication Devices

New State Law (House Bill 1481)

During this year's 89th Legislative Session, Texas lawmakers passed a new law (HB 1481) prohibiting the use of cell phones and other electronic communication devices during the school day. While Mansfield ISD has had a similar policy, the new state law goes beyond MISD's existing policy.

Phones and other devices must be stored out of sight for the duration of the school day, meaning the start of the first class until the end of the last class of the day. (See specific times below). Under the new law, students may no longer access their phones or other devices during lunch or passing periods.

Guidelines for Use for Grades PK-12

Grades PK-12:

Students are prohibited from using personal communication devices as defined by Texas House Bill 1481, as well as any other device that Mansfield ISD determines meets the definition of a personal electronic communication device. Such devices may include, but are not limited to, AI-enabled smart glasses, headphones or earbuds connected to a communication-enabled device, wearable technology, and any device capable of sending, receiving, storing, recording, transmitting, or accessing voice, text, image, video, internet, or other digital communications. The examples provided are not exhaustive, and the District reserves the right to determine whether a device falls within the scope of this policy.

Students:

may only use a district-issued device during the school day,
must have their personal communication devices turn off during the school day,
must have their personal communication devices securely stored out of sight, such as in a backpack, tote bag, or another personal item capable of storing their personal communication device from the beginning of 1^st period to end of the last period of the day,
- Elementary- 8:00 am-3:30 pm
- Intermediate- 8:30 am-4:00 pm
- Middle- 8:45 am- 4:15 pm
- High- 7:25 am-2:55 pm
- Ben Barber/Frontier- 7:00 am- 2:30 pm
storage may not be on their person or in an items of clothing
who violate this statute will be subject to disciplinary actions, and
who have a prohibited a device out during the school day will have it confiscated, and may make arrangements to retrieve it from campus administration.

When can I use my personal communication device at school?
Before or after school	YES
In a classroom	NO
During passing periods	NO
In the cafeteria (during lunch)	NO

Exceptions to the Guidelines
Statement of Expectations

Exceptions to the Guidelines

In the case of a school or district emergency, the teacher or administrator may allow a student to use a prohibited device.
Parents may call the office if there is a need to communicate with their child.
In cases of field trip trips, student travel, and athletic competitions (both on and off campus) during the school day, this policy is suspended for that group for that period of time. The teacher, coach or director has the discretion to allow personal communication devices during these times.

Statement of Expectations

Campus administrators will state expectations clearly and reinforce the importance of maintaining a communication device-free environment at the beginning of the year. Administrators will monitor for violations.

The only exceptions to this law are listed under the following exceptions and must be approved by the campus principal:

When required for a student’s IEP or Section 504 Plan.
Physician-directed use due to a documented medical need.
Necessary to comply with law or district safety protocols.

Note: A student who has been given special permission due to an IEP, 504, or medical need will receive consequences when using the device outside of above need and adherence to a possible elevated graduated list of consequences if the student uses the device pretending to be due to an IEP, 504, or medical need.

If a student uses a device without authorization during the school day, the device shall be confiscated. The confiscated telecommunications device must be picked up from the administrator’s office each time [See Consequence Offenses below]

Confiscated devices that are not retrieved will be disposed of after the notice required by law. [See policy FNCE]

In limited circumstances, in accordance with law, a student’s cell phone may be searched by authorized personnel. [See Searches policy FNF] Any disciplinary action taken will be in accordance with law and the Student Code of Conduct. The district is not responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen cell phones.

First Offense

2nd Offense

The device is confiscated, and the parent or guardian is contacted.
- Parents will be notified that any additional personal electronic communication violations will require the device to be released only to a parent or legal guardian.
Parent or student can retrieve the device from the school at the end of the day.
PreK-4 student assigned a non-exclusionary offense.
Grades 5-12 students, assigned 1 day of ISS.
The student is not eligible for the Exam Exemption for the Semester.
Offense noted in Skyward as a violation.

3rd Offense

4th Offense

5th Offense

Consequences

Unauthorized use of cell phones (smartphones/flip phones), tablets, smartwatches, radios, pagers, and any device capable of telecommunication or digital communication is an infraction of the guidelines. Students using personal electronic communication devices during the school day will result in the confiscation of the device and adherence to the graduated list of consequences. (See Disciplinary Actions)

Failure to turn over the device upon first request will result in a discipline referral to campus administration, confiscation by administration, and adherence to a possible elevated graduated list of consequences. Authorized district employees responsible for personal communication device confiscation will include administrators, teachers (including substitutes or others covering classes), and other designated personnel.

High School Students:
In accordance with the MISD Exam Exemption process, any discipline resulting in ISS/OSS/DAEP automatically removes the exemptions for students on that semester's exams.

Our Schools

In This Section