As a result of new TEA Guidance, the district implemented a new form in Family Access regarding consent for medical care and general caretaking.
“Once the initial notice has been given and no opt-out is received, it is assumed consent is given and ongoing consent is not required for the remainder of the school year,” Director of School Health Krista Ellis said in an email initially sent to the school nurses.
The original consent forms, posted to Family Access Aug. 29 when SB 12 was initially implemented district wide, are now considered to be void.
“New consent forms will be posted to Skyward on Family Access as of September 26, 2025, and must be signed in order for certain health-care services to continue and they can now opt out of health-related services,” Ellis said. “Basic First Aid, General Care Taking and Lifesaving, Emergency Care will be an auto OPT IN.“
What is considered a health-related service has changed under this new guidance.
“General caretaking (e.g., offering a change of clothes, assisting with minor cleanups, feeling a child’s forehead, checking for a sore throat, applying band-aids, helping with a bloody nose, etc.) is not considered a health-related or healthcare service under SB12 and does not require consent,” Ellis said.
Despite some services being auto opt in, some services still require consent from parents.
Subsection P of a Draft Rule Text provided by the TEA to help districts comply with SB 12 says, “A parent must opt in to each type of service provided before their child may receive the provision of: (1) psychological or psychiatric examinations or tests, and psychological or psychiatric examination treatments, unless a specific exemption is provided by law; (2) health-care services, except in the case of emergencies; and (3) the administration of a well-being questionnaire or health screening form to a student in accordance with subsection (r).”
Math teacher Kristina Hopkins said this clarification has resulted in students receiving the same care they have always received.
“It currently reads as if they are just implementing a ‘rule’ document of what professionals have already been doing for those sue-happy people to know exactly (in written form) what can and cannot happen,” Hopkins said.
