Senate Bill 12
In accordance with the new Texas law, Senate Bill 12, consent for your child to receive school-based health and emotional wellness services from qualified district personnel is required. All students in Merkel ISD are considered opted-in to receive school-based health and emotional wellness services from qualified district personnel unless a parent/guardian submits an Opt-out Form. The personnel may include school nurses, counselors, social workers, athletic trainers, and other certified health & mental health professionals. If you are interested in opting out of any of these services, please contact your campus counselor or nurse.
Clubs and Services
During the 89th Texas Legislative Session, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 12, which requires schools to obtain parental consent each year before providing certain routine services. These include physical health care through our school nurses, mental health support through our school counselors, and student participation in school-based clubs.
Participation in Clubs/Organizations
Students cannot participate in school-sponsored clubs or organizations without the consent of their parent or guardian. Some of these opportunities include, but are not limited to:
- Robotics
- Esports
- FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)
- Student Council
- National Honor Society
- FFA
Consent for Counseling Services
School counseling services (by school counselors or mental health staff) include, but are not limited to:
- Short-term individual counseling and check-ins
- Support during emotional distress
- Group support
- Substance abuse prevention and intervention
Consent for Health Services
Routine school health services include, but are not limited to:
- General first aid
- Injury treatment at school or during athletics
- Temperature checks for illness
- Administration of medications as prescribed and authorized by a physician and parent/guardian
- Basic health assessments (blood pressure, height/weight checks, symptom evaluation)
- Medical procedures as ordered by a health care provider
- Lice screening
- Acanthosis nigricans screening (diabetes risk indicator)
Frequently Asked Questions
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SB 12 is a new Texas law that requires schools to obtain annual parental consent before providing certain routine physical or mental health services to students, as well as before allowing participation in clubs.
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Log into ParentSquare and complete the SB 12 Consent Forms online, or request a paper form from your campus.
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Once each school year. Consent can also be changed or revoked at any time by notifying the school in writing.
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Without signed forms, your child cannot:
- Participate in school-sponsored clubs or organizations
- Receive routine counseling or health services on campus (except in emergencies).
Emergency care, academics, tutoring, instructional support, and classroom guidance lessons are not affected.