The Texas Education Agency has released model language to help school districts and open-enrollment charter schools comply with Senate Bill 12 and Texas Education Code §26.0083. This statute requires schools to notify parents in writing, before the first instructional day of each school year, about all health-related services offered at their child’s campus. The notice must also inform parents of their right to withhold consent or decline any such services. Although the law does not define “health-related service,” the agency includes examples such as counseling, screenings, wellness education, and medication administration to guide schools in meeting the requirement.
The model notice emphasizes the school’s role as a supportive partner in student well-being and academic success. It acknowledges that while informal check-ins by staff are common, more structured health-related services may be provided when appropriate. Parents are informed that they can opt out of any listed services by submitting a written statement. If consent is given for routine care, it remains effective for the school year unless the parent objects. The notice is intended to be comprehensive, listing all available services without implying that each student will receive them.
Additional guidance addresses how schools should handle changes in services or monitoring related to a student’s mental, emotional, or physical health. “Monitoring” refers to planned, recurring observations, while “services” involve structured techniques aimed at influencing student well-being. Parents must be notified before any changes in services occur, except in emergencies, and they retain the right to decline consent. For changes in monitoring, prior notice is preferred, but if not feasible, notification must occur within a specified number of school days. Legally mandated activities like behavioral threat assessments require notification but do not allow parental opt-out.
Finally, the document outlines requirements for administering well-being questionnaires or health screening forms. Before these are given to students, schools must provide parents with a copy and obtain their consent. This ensures transparency and parental involvement in decisions affecting student health. The model language is designed to align with statutory obligations while reinforcing the importance of parental rights and communication between schools and families.
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