School Counseling Program

Senate Bill 12 is a new Texas law that requires schools to get parent permission before providing students with routine physical or mental health services. This law goes into effect on September 1, 2025.

You must complete a School Health Services Consent Form for each child in Plano ISD by September 1, 2025. The form will be available in Skyward Family Access.

Without the consent form, school staff—including nurses and counselors—cannot provide your child with routine physical or mental health services. You will be responsible for arranging all care for your child outside of emergencies.

Examples of physical health services include:

• First aid and illness care at school
• Vision, hearing, spinal, and other state-required screenings
• Lice checks
• Injury and heat illness support for athletes

Examples of mental health services include:

• Short-term individual or group counseling
• Support during a crisis (such as self-harm concerns)
• Student success and behavior support assessments
• Referrals to outside providers (with additional consent)

This form does not include:

• Prescription or over-the-counter medication administration
• Ongoing treatment for chronic health conditions
• Formal medical or psychological diagnoses

These require separate written parent permission.

In a life-threatening emergency, school staff will respond immediately to protect your child’s safety and contact you right away.

You will need to complete the form each school year for every child enrolled in Plano ISD.

If you need assistance, please contact:

• Your child’s school nurse or counselor
• Plano ISD Health Services
• Plano ISD Counseling Services