Parental Consent - SB 12

Senate Bill 12 was passed during the 89th Texas Legislative Session, requiring all Texas public school districts to obtain annual parental consent before providing routine school-based health services and participation in district- or campus-sponsored clubs.

The following are “routine” school-based health services addressed in SB 12:

Physical Health Services (provided by school nurses, trained staff or athletic trainers):

• Acute Care: Immediate care for minor illnesses and non-life-threatening injuries (e.g., temperature check, scrape cleaning, headache assessment).
• Chronic Disease Management: Support for conditions such as (but not limited to) asthma or diabetes, including medication administration and individualized health care plans (IHPs).
• Medication Administration: Dispensing prescribed or over-the-counter medications per physician’s orders with parental consent.
• Preventive Care: Immunization reminders and health resources.
• Care Coordination: Collaboration with families, physicians, and staff to support student health needs during the school day.
• Health Education: Information for students and parents on prevention, wellness, puberty, hygiene and managing chronic conditions.
• Mental Health Support: First-aid and crisis intervention with referral to counseling services as needed.
• Addressing Health Barriers to Learning: Identifying and supporting students whose health impacts learning (including IEP/504 participation).
• Community Referrals: Connecting families to healthcare providers and social services.
• State Mandated Health Screenings: Performing hearing, vision, acanthosis and scoliosis screenings at appropriate grade levels.
• Lice: Per policy letters, screenings and classroom notifications.

Mental Health/Counseling Services (provided by school counselors):

• Guidance Curriculum: Guidance lessons designed to support students’ full educational potential by fostering social-emotional growth, exploring personal interests, and developing career goals.
  • School counselors promote positive behavior interventions and youth development by leading guidance lessons that build character and strengthen executive functioning skills. They also facilitate legislatively mandated intervention and prevention programs, including but not limited to the following:
    • Substance abuse prevention and intervention
    • Suicide prevention, intervention and postvention
    • Fentanyl poisoning prevention and intervention
    • Bullying prevention and intervention
• Responsive Services: School counselors are available to support any student facing personal concerns or challenges that may impact their education, career plans, personal growth, or social-emotional development.
  • School counselors help our students develop the skills necessary to manage emotions, establish and maintain positive relationships, and responsible decision making and provide early mental health prevention and intervention strategies and support.
• Individual Planning: Through advising sessions and meetings, school counselors School counselors work with students to set academic goals, explore college options, and plan career pathways that align with their interests and strengths.
  • School counselors provide advising opportunities and guidance to students and their parents on the value of postsecondary education, the coursework that prepares students for it, and the availability and requirements of financial aid.
• System Support: School counselors partner with teachers, staff, parents, and the community to promote students’ educational success, career readiness, personal growth, and social-emotional development.
  • School counselors help foster a positive school climate, creating a welcoming and supportive environment where students, parents, and staff all work together to ensure every child feels safe, respected, and valued.

Yes. By law, some services cannot be opted out of, as they are essential to protecting student safety and ensuring compliance with state requirements. These include:

• Emergency responses by the school district
• First aid and basic injury evaluation
• Activities involving law enforcement or the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)
• Legally required behavioral threat assessments
• Other services or actions required by state law

The following school-related health services require additional parent consent beyond the SB 12 form:

• Medical or psychological diagnosis
• Administration of scheduled prescription medications
• Administration of over-the-counter medications
• Long-term therapy or treatment that legally requires separate parental notification or consent

*except in emergencies or where legally exempt

Health services are provided by licensed school nurses, athletic trainers, trained staff, and school counselors employed by Lake Travis ISD.

• Forms are available in Skyward Family Access:

• Complete each form for every child in the family, where appropriate
• Each form has a Yes/No question, such as the example below:
   

If a life-threatening emergency occurs, our staff will do whatever is needed to keep your child safe and will contact you immediately.

Should you choose not to provide consent for health services, please be aware of the following:

• The school nurse may not assess or treat your child except in a life-threatening emergency.
• For minor injuries, you will be contacted to determine care.
• For suspected illness, you will be required to pick up your child. They may return only when they are fever-, vomiting-, and diarrhea-free for 24 hours without medication.

Yes. You can give or take back your consent at any time by sending a written note to your school’s office.

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

No. This consent is separate. Individualized health and education plans are still developed and required as appropriate.

No. District employees and contractors will not provide assistance with social transitioning.

Lake Travis ISD board policies provide detailed information on how the district supports students in these areas:

• FFEA – School Counseling Services (outlines the role of counselors in academic, career, and social-emotional support)
• FFEB – Student Mental Health (explains how the district promotes mental health through prevention, intervention, and resources)
• FFB – Threat Assessments (describes the process for identifying and responding to potential safety concerns).

For questions regarding services provided by school nurses or counselors, or for general questions about the SB 12 parent consent form, contact Jennifer Garrigan, Director of Counseling and Health Services at garriganj@ltisdschools.org.

State law requires schools to obtain written permission from a parent or guardian before a student can participate in any district- or campus-sponsored club. This ensures families are informed and involved in their child’s activities.

This applies to all district- or campus-authorized or sponsored clubs, including academic clubs, interest-based groups, service organizations, and extracurricular activity clubs. The list of clubs offered at each LTISD campus is available for your review.

No. Students may not participate in or attend club meetings until a signed parental consent form is on file.

If you choose not to provide consent, your child will not be able to participate in that club.

Yes. Consent is required each school year for each club your child wishes to join.

You may contact your child’s campus administration or the club sponsor for more information.