New law requires parental consent for school healthcare, counseling services

MISSION, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Schools across Texas are adjusting their approach to health-related services following the recent signing of a bill by Governor Greg Abbott that expands parental rights in public education.

The legislation is already making waves among parents and educators alike, particularly with counseling and medical care on campus.

Parents like Heather Fowler of Harlingen are welcoming the changes.

“Absolutely, I think it is a wonderful thing what the state and the schools are doing,” Fowler said.

The new law mandates parental consent for services such as first aid, counseling, and any well-being questionnaires administered to students. For many parents, it’s about having a voice in their child’s care.

“Counseling does not just involve the child but the parent as well,” said Claudia Macias, another Harlingen parent. “Especially if they are minors, the parents have to have the right to say yes or no.”

At Harlingen CISD, the law is being seen as an opportunity to build stronger connections between schools and families. Sylvia Gamboa, the district’s Director of Guidance and Counseling, believes the requirement will help both parties work more closely.

“It does strengthen that partnership with their parents,” Gamboa said. “So in that moment, if there's a counselor that really sees that a student needs ongoing counseling support, that is the moment we want to ensure, if we do not have that parent consent.”

Gamboa added that even in situations where parents initially decline consent, efforts to support the student won’t stop.

“The counselor will be working closely with the parent to ensure the student receives that service,” Gamboa said. “It may not have to be at the school district, but we will continue to ensure that our students are receiving services and resources that they need.”

At Mission CISD, the response has been robust. More than 9,000 students have already returned signed consent forms. Nurses, meanwhile, are being reminded of their legal responsibilities in emergencies.

“Nurses have a responsibility with their license, and they have to follow the Board of Nursing,” said Yesenia Treviño, Mission CISD’s Director for Health Services. “If they feel they have to care for a child, they're going to do that to 100% of their abilities, despite whether the parent has given consent or not, because if the life of the child is at stake, they're going to act upon it.”

Treviño said consent forms were sent out weeks ago, and about 70% have been returned. The forms not only permit school staff to provide care but allow them to access consent records quickly if a student needs help.

“In case they come in, they have a scrape, or they have a bump, or they have an injury at the campus... for those children that have medical conditions, we have medical consent from the doctor, which the physician signs, as well as the parent,” she explained.

As Texas schools navigate the new legal landscape, both educators and families appear committed to finding ways to ensure students receive the support they need, with parents more involved than ever before.