88(4) HB 26 - Introduced version - Bill Text
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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to parental consent for certain activities engaged in by a |
 
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school district employee or contractor with respect to the parent   s |
 
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child. |
 
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             BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
 
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             SECTION  1.    Section 26.009, Education Code, is amended to |
 
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read as follows: |
 
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             Sec.  26.009.    CONSENT REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN ACTIVITIES. (a) |
 
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In this section: |
 
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                         (1)    "Psychological or psychiatric examination or |
 
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test" means a method designed to elicit information regarding an |
 
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attitude, habit, trait, opinion, belief, feeling, or mental |
 
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disorder or a condition thought to lead to a mental disorder, |
 
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regardless of the manner in which the method is presented or |
 
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characterized, including a method that is presented or |
 
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characterized as a survey, check-in, or screening or is embedded in |
 
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an academic lesson. |
 
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                         (2)    "Psychological or psychiatric treatment" means |
 
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the planned, systematic use of a method or technique that is |
 
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designed to affect behavioral, emotional, or attitudinal |
 
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characteristics of an individual or group. |
 
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             (b)    An employee or contractor of a school district must |
 
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obtain the written consent signed by [of] a child's parent for each |
 
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separate activity described by this subsection in which the child |
 
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will participate before: |
 
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                         (1)    the employee or contractor may: |
 
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                                     (A)  [(1)]    conduct a psychological or psychiatric |
 
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examination or[,] test[,] or psychological or psychiatric |
 
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treatment, unless the examination, test, or treatment is required |
 
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under Section 38.004 or state or federal law regarding requirements |
 
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for special education; or |
 
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                                     (B)  [(2)]    subject to Subsection (c), make or |
 
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authorize the making of a videotape of a child or record or |
 
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authorize the recording of a child's voice; and |
 
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                         (2)    the child may participate in that activity. |
 
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             (c)  [(b)]    An employee or contractor of a school district is |
 
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not required to obtain the consent of a child's parent before the |
 
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employee or contractor may make a videotape of a child or authorize |
 
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the recording of a child's voice if the videotape or voice recording |
 
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is to be used only for: |
 
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                         (1)    purposes of safety, including the maintenance of |
 
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order and discipline in common areas of the school or on school |
 
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buses; |
 
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                         (2)    a purpose related to a cocurricular or |
 
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extracurricular activity; |
 
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                         (3)    a purpose related to regular classroom |
 
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instruction; |
 
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                         (4)    media coverage of the school; or |
 
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                         (5)    a purpose related to the promotion of student |
 
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safety under Section 29.022. |
 
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             (d)    A school district shall retain every written and signed |
 
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informed consent of a child's parent obtained under this section as |
 
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part of the child's education records. |
 
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             (e)    Nothing in this section may be construed to: |
 
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                         (1)    require an employee of a school district to obtain |
 
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the written consent of a child's parent before verbally asking the |
 
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child about the child's general well-being; |
 
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                         (2)    affect a child's consent to counseling under |
 
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Section 32.004, Family Code; or |
 
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                         (3)    affect the duty to report child abuse or neglect |
 
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under Chapter 261, Family Code, or an investigation of a report of |
 
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abuse or neglect under that chapter. |
 
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             SECTION  2.    This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 |
 
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school year. |
 
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             SECTION  3.    This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
 
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
 
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
 
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| Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 26.009 (Education Code 26)