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Texas Schools Struggle with New Student Healthcare Consent Rules
9 Sep
Summary
- Texas Education Agency issues new guidance on student healthcare
- Senate Bill 12 requires parental consent for on-campus services
- Opponents say vague law leads to schools avoiding basic care
On September 9th, 2025, the Texas Education Agency issued new guidance to schools in the state regarding student healthcare policies. This comes in the wake of concerns raised by educators over the implementation of Senate Bill 12, also known as the Texas Parents Bill of Rights, which was passed into law last year.
The new legislation requires schools to obtain parental consent before providing any healthcare services to students on campus. While the intent was to give parents more control, opponents argue the vague language in the law has led to some schools becoming overly cautious. They say institutions are now wary of offering even simple care like bandages without explicit approval from a student's guardian.
The Education Agency's updated guidance aims to clarify the requirements and ensure schools can still meet students' basic medical needs. However, the debate continues over striking the right balance between parental rights and schools' ability to provide timely, appropriate healthcare on their premises.
