The bill, H.B. No. 497, mandates that school district personnel must obtain written parental consent before providing behavioral or mental health treatment to students. Specifically, it amends Section 26.009(a) of the Education Code to include new requirements for consent related to behavioral or mental health services, which encompasses the provision of contraceptives, including emergency contraceptives, and informational materials on family planning, human sexuality, and mental health. The bill also retains the existing requirement for consent before conducting psychological examinations or making recordings of a child.

This legislation will take effect at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, and it will be enacted immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote from both houses of the Texas Legislature. If not, the bill will become effective on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 26.009 (Education Code 26)
House Committee Report: Education Code 26.009 (Education Code 26)