Legislative Updates

Texas House Bill 1481 requires school districts to create a phone-free policy. Constant access to phones has created significant distractions and disruptions across schools. Our goal is to help students be fully present during the school day. 

This includes, but is not limited to: cell phones, smart watches, tablets/iPads, wireless earbuds or headphones, laptops or any device capable of messaging, calling, recording, or internet access. 

Under HB 1481, a smartwatch is considered a personal communication device, just like a cell phone. This includes any wearable device that can send or receive texts, calls, emails, or other digital communications. If a student’s watch connects to Wi-Fi, cellular service, or Bluetooth to access messaging, apps, or internet-based functions, it falls under the restriction.

Students are not permitted to use personal electronic devices at any point during the school day, including between classes, during lunch, and in non-instructional periods. Devices must remain turned off and put away (in lockers, backpacks, or designated storage areas). Use may only be allowed under direct staff supervision for educational or medical reasons. 

Violations will follow a progressive discipline process, which may include: confiscation of the device, parent/guardian pick-up only, detention or in-school suspension (ISS) for repeated violations, and possible loss of device privileges on campus. 

Violation of HB 1481 (Unauthorized Use of Personal Communication Device) 

*Parents may pick up the device during the school day or 30 minutes before or after school 

When a student refuses to turn over their phone after violating the HB 1481 policy, it is treated as defiance of authority. The student will face immediate disciplinary action, starting with in-school suspension (ISS), and repeated refusals may lead to out-of-school suspension or placement in a disciplinary program. Parents or guardians are notified in every case, and the incident is documented in the student’s record.

Yes, a student may be allowed to use their personal communication device on the bus, during a field trip, or at an extracurricular activity. Students are expected to follow all directions given by supervising staff, and failure to do so may result in disciplinary consequences.

In a true emergency, Pearland ISD’s emergency response plans are in place to protect students and keep families informed. During lockdowns, having hundreds of students using phones can spread false information, interfere with communication systems, and create safety risks. Our staff is trained to manage these situations, and we ask students to follow directions from trusted adults on campus.

We want our students to be engaged in their learning; therefore, we ask that you refrain from contacting your student during the school day unless it is an emergency. Should you need to contact your student, please call the school’s front office.

Students may ask to use a school phone in the front office, counselor’s office, or another supervised area. Non-urgent communication should wait until after school.

Exceptions may be made for students to use a personal electronic device if a licensed physician determines that it is necessary to monitor a medical condition (i.e., diabetes, epilepsy). If a student has a documented medical need that requires personal device access, please work with your campus nurse and principal to develop an appropriate plan. Accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis to support student health.

Students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan will have personal device access decisions made by their ARD or 504 committee. The policy will not override accommodations required by federal law. Please contact your child’s campus for support if this applies.

HB 1481 only applies during school hours while students are on school property. Courses or practicums off campus are not included in the law.

Students with a shortened schedule may use their personal devices when arriving or leaving campus. However, if they remain on campus during the school day—whether in a class, the library, or a common area—they must follow the same bell-to-bell restriction as all other students. This means personal devices like phones and smartwatches must be turned off and stored from the first bell to the final bell

For security and legal reasons, Pearland ISD does not allow student email accounts to send or receive messages from outside email providers (like Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook). This restriction is in place to comply with federal laws such as CIPA and FERPA, and to protect students from serious online threats — including phishing scams, malware, and data breaches. Allowing open email access would expose students and the district’s network to unnecessary risk. If your child needs to contact you during the school day, they can request to use a school phone or have a staff member assist. These safeguards are not optional, as they are essential for maintaining a safe and secure learning environment.

Senate Bill 10 (SB 10) is a law passed by the Texas Legislature. It requires public school districts to display a copy of the Ten Commandments in every instructional classroom.

Pearland ISD is legally required to comply with all state laws. The Texas Attorney General has directed all school districts to follow SB 10 unless they are part of a court injunction. Pearland ISD is not part of an injunction, so we are obligated to follow the law as written.

No. The posters were donated to the district.

No. The posters are for display only and are not considered instructional materials. They will not be used in lessons or classroom activities unless they are directly tied to a state-based learning objective (TEKS).

Our role is to comply with state law. We understand that families may have different views on this legislation. Any concerns about the law itself should be directed to your state legislators.

Pearland ISD will be working to place these posters in a visible location in every classroom across the district.

Parents have the right to direct their child’s education, moral and religious training, and to give or withhold consent for medical or psychological treatment.

Schools must have your written permission before your child can:

• Participating in human sexuality instruction
• Receive health services (beyond routine first aid)
• Undergo psychological or psychiatric evaluations or treatment

Schools must use Texas Education Agency (TEA) forms each year to notify parents about rights such as reviewing instructional materials, opting out of lessons, or requesting special programs like gifted/talented or virtual learning.

Yes, but only when required by state standards (TEKS) or recognized events (such as Black History Month).

SB 12 requires every district to have a formal grievance procedure so parents can submit complaints and receive timely responses.

No. SB 12 prohibits schools from authorizing or sponsoring clubs based on sexual orientation or gender identity, including Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSAs).

No. Staff must use the name and pronouns in school records, unless a legal name change has been made.

Staff cannot adopt the change. They must notify you of the request and continue using the student’s official record.

No. SB 12 prohibits staff from assisting with or facilitating social transitioning in any form.

Yes. Parents must be informed about any requests or changes related to names, pronouns, or services.

Annual notices must include rights and options related to:

• Library and instructional materials
• Health education
• Parent advisory councils
• Gifted/Talented programs, remote learning, and other school services

Senate Bill 13 (SB 13), passed during the 89th Texas Legislative Session, enacts new laws to increase transparency, parental rights, and content oversight in public school libraries. Specifically, SB 13 requires school districts to:

1. Make library catalogs publicly accessible to parents and guardians.
2. Allow parents to restrict specific library materials for their own child.
3. Establish a formal process for parents to challenge and request the review or removal of library content.
4. Prohibit the purchase or retention of “sexually explicit” material, as defined by law.
5. Provide public notice of proposed new books or materials for at least 30 days before acquisition.
6. Allows the formation of a Library Advisory Councils with parent and staff participation.
7. Ensure digital resources, like databases, meet the same standards for appropriateness and access control.

No, Pearland ISD has not created a Library Advisory Council. Under SB 13, parents can petition to form one by submitting signatures from either 10% of district parents or at least 50 parents. If that threshold is met, the school board is required to establish the council for a minimum of three years.

The selection of new library materials follows these SB 13-aligned steps:

1. Professional Review – Librarians select materials based on educational value, age-appropriateness, and relevance to curriculum.
2. Public Access to Selections – A list of proposed new titles is made publicly available for at least 30 days before purchase or placement in the library.

3. Parent Notification Option – Parents may review the list and raise concerns before books are added.

4. Final Approval – The elected Board of Trustees has final approval

Yes. Our Destiny Library Catalog is fully accessible online and can be searched by parents anytime.

Absolutely. Through the Parent Portal, you can place individual restrictions on specific books for your child. This ensures your student cannot check out those titles.

Yes. Starting this school year, Pearland ISD will activate daily checkout email notifications. You’ll be notified anytime your child checks out a book. It is important to have updated email addresses in Skyward.

Pearland ISD uses state-approved TexQuest databases, and we have tools to restrict or curate content in each one:

• Gale: Documents, topics, and keywords can be restricted by the district
• Britannica: Articles, images, and videos can be curated by grade level
• ProQuest SIRS: Content can be selectively filtered with administrative steps
• TeachingBooks: Offers parent-based restriction settings, if chosen

You may submit a Request for Reconsideration to your campus principal. The district has a structured process for reviewing such concerns and will involve stakeholders in the decision-making.

If a book is formally reviewed and the district determines it is inappropriate, it must be removed from student access. If the book is retained, parents still retain the right to restrict it for their own child.