To start off this school year, Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1481 into law on June 23, 2025, which bans all use of personal communication devices, including cell phones, AirPods, tablets, laptops, etc.

This law, affecting K-12 students within Texas public and charter schools, enforces rules for teachers and other school staff members to monitor and confiscate any personal devices. The only exception to this rule is if the personal device is required for the health or safety of a student.

If a student uses their cellphone on the Hooks High School campus, there will be varying levels of consequences.

Offense #1: The student’s parent(s) will be notified, and they will not be able to retrieve their cellphone until the end of the day.

Offense #2: The student’s parent(s) will be notified, and the parent will have to pick up the phone themselves and pay a fee of $10.

Offense #3: The student’s parent(s) will be notified, and the parent will have to pick up the phone themselves and pay a fee of $15. The student will also have to serve a day of detention.

Offense #4: The student’s parent(s) will be notified, and the parent will have to pick up the phone themselves and pay a fee of $15. The student will also have to serve two days of detention.

Offense #5: The student’s parent(s) will be notified, and the parent will have to pick up the phone themselves and pay a fee of $15. The student will also have to serve a day of in-school suspension.

Offense #6: The student’s parent(s) will be notified, and the parent will have to pick up the phone themselves and pay a fee of $15. The student will also have to serve two days of in-school suspension.