During the 89th Texas Legislative Session, Senate Bill 12 was passed, requiring all Texas public school districts to get yearly parental consent before providing routine school-based health services.

Parental consent is not required for district personnel to inquire about a student’s daily or general well-being, and consent is not required for general caretaking such as providing band-aids, ice packs, or general injury evaluation.

“Health-care services” mean services that would meet the definition of either psychological or psychiatric examination or test or psychological or psychiatric treatment, as well as services that involve medical treatment, medical procedures, or dispensing medication.

“Health-related services,” as used in TEC, Section 26.0083(g) and this policy,
means services that are typically short-term, noninvasive activities designed to promote a student’s mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being, but are not considered a health-care service. Health-related services are different from health- care services in that they are typically designed to promote healthy student behaviors and not considered formal methods that rise to the level of health-care services. These services would include, but not be limited to, school counseling services related to mental or emotional health; nutrition health and education beyond what is taught through grade-level or course instruction; physical health screenings such as scoliosis and vision; first aid; mental health screenings; social skills training; stress management; wellness promotion and education; opportunities for physical activity; emotional regulation activities; substance abuse prevention; suicide prevention; crisis prevention training; and other services offered in alignment with decisions made by the local school health advisory council. General caretaking is not a health-related service.

In a serious emergency, staff will still act to protect your child’s safety and will contact you immediately.

Yes. You can revoke or provide consent at any time in writing to your campus office.

Yes. All health records are protected under state and federal privacy laws.