El Paso Schools Navigate New Texas Laws: Cellphone Bans, Ten Commandments Displays, and Financial Literacy Requirement

New Laws Impacting Texas Schools

Texas schools are set to undergo significant changes following the 89th session of the Texas Legislature, which concluded on June 2. Governor Greg Abbott signed numerous education-related bills into law, introducing a variety of new requirements and restrictions for school districts across the state.

Among the most notable changes is the implementation of a cellphone ban in schools. Students will no longer be allowed to use their cellphones or other personal communication devices during the school day. This includes tablets, smartwatches, radios, pagers, or any other electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication. While many schools already had policies prohibiting phone use during class, the new law requires districts to either ban devices from school property entirely or establish a method for their storage during the school day. Under House Bill 1481, school boards must adopt a policy outlining how to store students’ devices and the discipline measures for non-compliance, including confiscation of the phones.

Another major change involves the display of the Ten Commandments in every classroom. Public schools in Texas will need to display the religious text starting this coming school year, although they are not required to purchase any nor will the state provide them. Schools must accept donations that meet state requirements, with the poster or framed copy needing to be at least 16-by-20 inches.

Students entering ninth grade this coming school year will also need to complete a financial literacy class to graduate from high school. House Bill 27 requires students to complete at least one-half credit in personal financial literacy as well as one credit in economics, world geography, or world history to graduate. Previously, students needed to complete three credits in social studies, including at least one-half credit in economics or personal financial literacy and economics.

A new parental bill of rights and ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies has also been introduced. Senate Bill 12 establishes sweeping policy changes that supporters say would strengthen parents' rights in schools and ban DEI policies and programs. The bill prohibits schools from providing instruction, guidance, activities, or programming related to sexual orientation and gender identity. It also requires parental permission for students to join a club, regardless of its purpose.

Additionally, students may be given a designated time to pray in school under Senate Bill 11. The bill allows school districts to adopt policies to give students and staff a period for prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious texts. School boards have until March 1 to decide if their district will have prayer periods.

Librarians will no longer have final say on what books will be allowed in school libraries. Under Senate Bill 13, school boards will be responsible for overseeing library book approvals and removals. The bill also allows school boards to create a school advisory council, made up of parents, educators, and local community members, to oversee school libraries if parents sign a petition allowing it.

Public schools, colleges, and universities will be required to take disciplinary action against students for violating their student code of conduct "that may reasonably be determined to have been motivated by antisemitism." Senate Bill 326 requires school districts to use the definition of antisemitism outlined in the Texas Government Code.

School marshals will be allowed to openly carry a handgun on school property while in uniform under Senate Bill 870. A school marshal is an employee who has undergone training and was appointed by their school board to serve as an armed guard, which are required at each campus under Texas law.

Spectators at school athletic events may now be kicked out for unruly behavior without warning. Senate Bill 2929 allows referees, judges, and other officials to eject spectators from school events, regardless of whether it is on district property, without first issuing a verbal reprimand.

Parents will be able to access an online handbook outlining their rights regarding their children’s education under Texas law. Senate Bill 204 requires the Texas Education Agency to create the handbook by January 2026. Under the bill, school board members will be required to receive training on parents' rights developed by the State Board of Education.

Schools must excuse student absences if they miss school to receive mental health care services or therapy. While schools were already required to excuse student absences for appointments with health care professionals, Senate Bill 207 amends the law to ensure mental health care is included.

Free or reduced school lunches will no longer be allowed to have certain food additives and dyes thought to have negative health effects under Senate Bill 314. Some of those additives include potassium bromate, azodicarbonamide, and propylparaben.