Texas public school districts are implementing significant updates to their student conduct codes, reflecting crucial changes mandated by the state legislature this year. These revisions aim to foster safer and more focused learning environments across campuses, addressing contemporary challenges faced by educators and administrators alike.

Among the most impactful changes is the statewide prohibition on the use of personal communication devices during instructional hours. This new regulation, enshrined within the updated Student Code of Conduct, explicitly targets cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, tablets, and similar gadgets, ensuring undivided attention in classrooms.

Specifically, House Bill 1481, a pivotal new Texas law taking effect this school year, now strictly defines the “school day” as the period between the first and last bells, prohibiting device usage on school property within these times. This comprehensive ban underscores a commitment to minimizing distractions and enhancing educational outcomes.

Furthermore, the revised code introduces stricter protocols for student conduct that directly impacts teacher safety and classroom integrity. A student formally removed from a class due to conduct involving assault or sexual assault against a teacher cannot return without the educator’s explicit written consent, providing greater protection for instructional staff.

The updated guidelines also address the growing concern of nicotine product usage among students. For a first-time offense involving the possession or use of a nicotine delivery product or e-cigarette, an appropriate administrator now has the discretion to place the student in a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP).

Should a DAEP placement not occur for a first-time e-cigarette offense under Education Code 37.008, the revised code mandates a minimum of ten school days in in-school suspension. This firm stance aims to curb the prevalence of vaping and protect student health across campuses.

In addition to classroom and campus regulations, new provisions empower school bus drivers with enhanced authority to maintain order and ensure student safety during transportation. Drivers can now refer students directly to the appropriate administrator, such as a principal or campus behavior coordinator, for misbehavior.

Upon receiving a referral, administrators are now required to employ appropriate discipline management techniques, as detailed within the district’s comprehensive Code of Conduct. These measures can include, but are not limited to, restricting or even revoking a student’s bus riding privileges, reinforcing the importance of a distraction-free environment for safe transport.