Parental Consent
New legislation from the 89th Texas Legislative Session requires parents and guardians to provide annual consent for certain school-based services and permission for activities. These forms must be completed and submitted for each student by Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
The Texas Education Agency has provided the following information regarding the parental rights afforded to parents in Texas public schools.
Parental Rights and Options Form
Health Services
The 89th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 12, which requires school districts to obtain written permission from a parent/guardian before providing health-related services to students, including those on before-, during-, after-school, and school- or district-sponsored activities. Health-related services, including all healthcare and nursing-related services, cannot be provided without written consent. A school district can only provide lifesaving care without written consent.
Health-related Services
The school nurse most often provides school health-related services. However, additional school staff may also provide first aid and care for students who are ill or injured. These school staff members include, but are not limited to, teachers, coaches, front office staff, police officers, lifeguards, athletic trainers, administrators, counselors, social workers, clinic clerks, after-school employees, and other staff who supervise children.
Health-related services in the school setting may include, but are not limited to:
Health Service Consent Form English and Spanish
Each school system shall provide to parents written notice of each health-related service offered at the campus the student attends. The notice must include a statement of the parent’s right to withhold consent for or decline a health-related service.
School Counseling and Social Services
The 89th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 12, which requires school districts to obtain written permission from a parent/guardian before providing counseling, social, and mental wellness services, including before, during, after-school, and on school/district-sponsored activities. This form must be signed and returned to give consent for counseling and social services effective during the current school year unless rescinded earlier. In accordance with law, the District must notify parents of staff services related to school counseling and give parents the opportunity to opt out before those services are provided to their child.
The school counseling and social services are more fully explained in board policy FFEA, and student mental health is covered in board policy FFEB. Under state law, a child may consent to counseling for themselves as it relates to suicide prevention, chemical addiction or dependency, or sexual, physical, or emotional abuse.
Routine Counseling Services
State law requires school counselors to provide the following services as part of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program through classroom instruction, and they are still able to provide this system of support to all students. School counselors and social workers routinely provide the following services:
- Safe, supportive, and positive school climate;
- Positive behavior interventions and supports;
- Positive school climates, meaning the quality and character of school life, including interpersonal relationships, teaching and learning practices, and organizational structures, as experienced by students enrolled in the District, parents of those students, and personnel employed by the District;
- Build skills related to managing emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and responsible decision-making;
- Advise students and their parents regarding the importance of postsecondary education, coursework designed to prepare students for postsecondary education, and financial aid availability and requirements;
- Early mental health prevention and intervention;
- Substance abuse prevention and intervention;
- Self-harm, suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention;
- Grief-informed and trauma-informed practices; and
- Positive youth development.
Counseling & Social Service Consent Form English and Spanish
For further assistance regarding the parental rights form or notice related to health services, please direct any additional questions to [email protected]
Parents’ Rights and Library Materials
New laws from the 89th Texas Legislative Session (Senate Bill 13 and House Bill 900) change how schools choose and share library books. These laws give parents more rights to know what books are being added and to share their opinions.
What Parents Need to Know
- Book Lists Shared: The district will post lists of books we plan to buy for school libraries at least 30 days before purchasing.
- Chance to Give Feedback: Parents and guardians can review these lists and send in comments about specific titles.
- Check Your Child’s Account: Parents can see what their child has checked out and their past library history through the district’s online catalog.
- Set Preferences: Families can ask that certain books not be available to their child.
SWISD Library Book Purchase Procedures