Parental Consents

Health services 

Schools provide a variety of health-related services to support student health and well-being. Parents and guardians are notified of the health-related services available at their child's campus and have the right to withhold consent for or decline certain services.

Some health-care services require active, informed parental consent before they may be provided. Other health-related services, including routine first aid, generally do not require prior active consent unless a parent has notified the district that they are declining the service.

Certain health screenings required by state law, including vision and hearing screenings, are provided in accordance with the specific notification and exemption requirements established by applicable law.

SB 12 distinguishes between health-related services and health-care services provided to students. Parents and guardians receive information about health-related services available at their child's campus and have the right to withhold consent for or decline individual health-related services. Certain health-care services require active, informed parental consent before they are provided, except as otherwise permitted or required by law.

Examples of school-based physical health services may include:

• First aid and injury evaluation

• Nursing assessment and care related to symptoms of illness or injury while at school

• Routine health screenings, including vision, hearing, and spinal screenings, as required by applicable law

• Monitoring and support for chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, seizures, and asthma

• Evaluation of symptoms related to communicable diseases or conditions, including decisions regarding exclusion and readmission in accordance with applicable requirements

• Administration of medications, in accordance with applicable parental authorization, physician orders, district procedures, and state law

• Health education and guidance related to nutrition, hygiene, disease prevention, and general wellness

• Coordination of student health services

• Special health procedures, when authorized and provided in accordance with applicable medical orders, parental authorization, district procedures, and state law

Certain services and assistance may be provided without prior active parental consent, including:

• Emergency or lifesaving care

• Services or actions required or otherwise authorized by law

• General caretaking, such as providing basic assistance when a student feels unwell, applying an adhesive bandage, wiping a bloody nose, or providing other minor care

• Health-related services, such as first aid, when parents have been notified that the service is available and have not withheld consent or declined the service

Some screenings required by state law, including vision, hearing, and spinal screenings, are provided in accordance with the notification and exemption requirements established by the laws governing those screenings.

Certain health-care services require specific parental authorization or documentation in addition to the general notice provided regarding school health-related services. These may include:

• Administration of medication, which requires appropriate written parental authorization and any additional documentation required by law or district procedures.

• Scheduled nursing or medical procedures, which require appropriate parental authorization and, when applicable, medical orders or other required documentation.

Parents will be contacted when additional authorization, medical orders, or documentation is needed for a specific health-care service.

School health-related services and general caretaking may be provided by appropriately trained or authorized TISD personnel, depending on the nature of the service. This may include school nurses, health aides, athletic trainers, administrators, teachers, and other designated staff members.

Certain health-care services, medications, treatments, or procedures may only be provided by personnel who are appropriately licensed, trained, or authorized and in accordance with applicable law and district procedures.

In an emergency, TISD staff will take appropriate action to protect your child's health and safety. Emergency or lifesaving care may be provided without prior parental consent when permitted by law. Parents or guardians will be notified as soon as possible.

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

TISD provides school counseling services designed to support students' academic success, well-being, and development. Parents are provided information about the district's comprehensive school counseling program and have the right to make decisions regarding their child's participation in certain counseling and mental health services.

Active parental consent is required before a student receives certain services, including psychological or psychiatric examinations, tests, or treatment, as defined by Texas law.

Some short-term individual counseling or student support group services may also require parental permission based on the nature of the service. Parents will be provided information and an opportunity to provide consent when consent is required.

School personnel may continue to provide general student support and respond to immediate or incidental student needs in accordance with state law and district procedures.

TISD school counselors and other qualified staff provide a variety of services to support students' academic, personal, social, and emotional development. Depending on the nature of the service, parental consent may be required before a student participates.

Services that may require parental consent include:

• Short-term individual counseling for emotional or behavioral concerns

• Student support groups or small-group counseling

• Psychological or mental health screenings, assessments, or other services that meet the definitions requiring parental consent under Texas law

• Other structured counseling or therapeutic services designed to address a student's behavioral, emotional, or mental health needs

School personnel may provide immediate or incidental support to a student experiencing distress or a crisis in accordance with applicable law and district procedures. Emergency services may also be provided without prior parental consent when permitted by law.

To learn more about TISD counseling services, visit the Counseling Services page.

No. The parental consent requirements for mental or behavioral health services do not prevent school counselors from providing routine academic and college and career advising services.

School counselors will continue to support students with:

• Course selection and scheduling

• College and career readiness planning

• Academic goal setting and monitoring

• General school success strategies

Note: Academic advising and educational planning are distinct from mental or behavioral health services that may require parental consent under Texas law.

Certain immediate, emergency, or legally required services may be provided without prior parental consent. These may include:

• Immediate assistance when a student is experiencing a crisis or is at risk of harming themselves or others

• In-the-moment support to help a student who is experiencing emotional distress

• Emergency or lifesaving care

• Actions required by law, including reporting suspected child abuse or neglect

• Other services when parental consent is not required under applicable state or federal law

Planned or ongoing counseling, psychological or psychiatric treatment, or other therapeutic services may require parental consent depending on the nature of the service.

Note: Texas law allows a child to consent to counseling in certain circumstances, including counseling for:

• Suicide prevention

• Chemical addiction or dependency

• Sexual, physical, or emotional abuse

TISD school counselors provide school-based counseling and student support services within the scope of the district's comprehensive school counseling program. They do not provide services such as:

• Medical or psychological diagnoses

• Long-term therapy or clinical treatment

When a student's needs extend beyond the services provided by TISD counseling staff, families may be referred to appropriate community-based providers. Any services provided by an outside provider are subject to that provider's consent, intake, and treatment requirements.

Note: A referral to an outside provider does not constitute a diagnosis or treatment by TISD.

TISD school counselors and Responsive Services Counselors provide school-based counseling and student support services within their professional roles and in accordance with applicable parental consent requirements.

Teachers and other school staff may also provide general student support and appropriate in-the-moment assistance as part of the school environment. Classroom activities designed to support student success, positive behavior, and a supportive learning environment are provided in accordance with applicable state law and district procedures.

When a service or activity meets the legal definition of a psychological or psychiatric examination, test, or treatment, TISD will obtain parental consent as required by law.

In an emergency or when there is an imminent threat to a student's safety, TISD staff may take immediate action to protect the student or others, even when parental consent for ongoing mental health services has not been provided.

Parents or guardians will be contacted as required by law and as soon as reasonably possible based on the circumstances.

Yes. Student health and medical information maintained by TISD is kept confidential and protected in accordance with applicable state and federal laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Information may be accessed or shared only as permitted or required by law.

SB 12 added Texas Education Code §33.0815, which establishes requirements for student clubs authorized or sponsored by school districts.

Key requirements include:

• TISD may authorize or sponsor student clubs.

• TISD may not authorize or sponsor a student club based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

• Before a student may participate in a TISD-authorized or sponsored student club, the district must obtain written consent from the student's parent or guardian.

Yes. Before a student may participate in a student club authorized or sponsored by TISD, the district must have written consent from the student's parent or guardian.

TISD will provide parents and guardians with information about the applicable consent process for student clubs.

No. A student may not participate in a TISD-authorized or sponsored student club unless the district has received written consent from the student's parent or guardian.

If written parental consent is not received, the student will not be permitted to participate in the club.

No. A student may not participate in a TISD-authorized or sponsored CTSO or other student club unless the district has received written consent from the student's parent or guardian.

If written parental consent is not received, the student will not be permitted to participate in the organization.