The Texas Education Agency (TEA)sent out correspondence clarifying what “basic health-related services” schools may provide without explicit parental consent and what requires consent under the new law (SB 12). The guidance aims to reduce confusion about what types of services require written parental approval, specifically distinguishing between everyday care (e.g. Band-Aids, checking temperature) vs. more formal medical services. In their clarification, they also specified they encourage “school systems to review all previously distributed forms and communication around these issues to ensure revisions are made as necessary to align with the updated guidance and they are written in parent friendly language to the maximum extent possible”.
TEA also published updated draft rules, updated guidance, and an updated “Parental Rights and Options Form,” related to SB 12 (which addresses parental rights, health-related services, grievance policies, etc.).
