SB 12 – Parental Consent for Services

During the 89th Texas Legislative Session, Senate Bill 12 was passed, requiring all public school districts in Texas to obtain yearly parental consent before providing routine school-based health and counseling services.

HPISD continues to offer the same services as in previous years. The only change is that parents must now give annual consent for these services through Skyward Family Access.

Physical Health Services (provided by school nurses and athletic trainers) include:

• Injury evaluation and first-aid treatment
• Assessment of illness or physical symptoms at school, including nursing assessment
• Use of non-pharmacological interventions such as ice packs, heating pads, peppermint
• Communicable disease or symptom evaluation, exclusion, and readmission
• Hygiene and health education (handwashing, illness prevention, general wellness, providing clean clothing or menstrual supplies)
  
  

Routine Counseling Services (provided by school counselors or mental health staff) include:

• Short-term individual counseling or check-ins
• Social-emotional learning activities and group support
• Support during emotional distress or crisis
• Behavioral observations and problem-solving strategies
• Referral to community providers, if needed (with additional consent)

Parents/guardians must log in to Skyward Family Access and complete a consent form for each child until September 19, 2025.

Once provided, consent applies for the entire school year.

You may rescind your initial decision anytime during the year by reaching out to the Director of Student Services, Dr. Josue Romero, [email protected].