Important Announcements

Update to Consent for Physical and Mental Health-Related Services

On September 1, 2025, Texas law (Senate Bill 12) went into effect requiring parents to give consent before schools can provide students with certain physical or mental health services. Since the Texas Education Agency (TEA) released their original guidance, many questions have been raised about which services related to a student’s health require active, informed consent and which services may be provided with assumed consent.

In response to requests for clarification, the Texas Education Agency issued updated guidance for school districts on September 11, 2025. The updated guidance clarifies the following areas.

Opt-In Services 

We have always required written parent consent to provide these services and consent is provided in a separate process.

“Health-care services” are formal medical or psychological interventions that are planned, systematic and designed to diagnose or treat conditions. The following services are considered “health-care services” and do require advanced consent (Opt-In):

• Psychological/psychiatric exams, surveys or screenings
• Psychological/psychiatric treatment or therapy
• Medical treatment
  • Treatment prescribed by a physician, e.g., a breathing treatment, diabetes treatment, etc.
• Medical procedures
  • Procedures prescribed by a physician, e.g., g-tube feedings, urinary catheterizations, suctioning, tracheostomy care, etc.
• Dispensing medication
  • Administering prescription or over-the-counter medication provided by a parent for a student
• Administration of a well-being questionnaire or health screening form (a copy must be provided to the parent beforehand)   

Opt-Out Services

Consent is assumed for these services unless consent is otherwise declined.

“Health-related services” 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. The following services are considered “health-related services,” and consent is assumed until the parent declines consent (Opt-Out). Parents must be allowed to opt-out of any health-related service:

• First aid care
• Nutrition health & education beyond what is taught through grade-level or course instruction
• Physical health screenings (vision, scoliosis, hearing, acanthosis skin marker)
• Lice screening
• Assessment and care for illness or physical symptoms while at school
• Individual and small group school counseling services. Topics include but are not limited to:
  • Social skills training
  • Stress management
  • Wellness promotion & education 
  • Emotional regulation activities
  • Substance abuse prevention
  • Suicide prevention

Regardless of Opt-In or Opt-Out

“General caretaking” is defined as noninvasive actions to address minor student claims of feeling unwell or adult observations of a child being physically unwell. This type of care does not require consent and should always be provided as part of student safety and care. This can include:

• Cleaning up spills or other accidents
• Offering a change of clothing when necessary
• Minor student care
  • Applying a band-aid
  • Wiping a bloody nose
  • Offering an ice pack
  • Feminine and hygiene products
• Asking a student about their general well-being

Next steps: If you wish to change your consent status for specific physical or mental health-related services, you may contact the school nurse, or submit a new Skyward form, which will be available on September 19. Otherwise, no further action is needed.

For any questions regarding routing school health services, please contact your student’s home campus nurse or counselor,  District Health Services or Counseling Services.