Bill > HB4003

This bill amends the Texas Education Code to strengthen parental consent requirements for certain school district activities involving children. Specifically, the bill requires school district employees or contractors to obtain written informed consent from a parent each time before conducting psychological or psychiatric examinations, tests, or treatments, with exceptions for legally mandated assessments like special education evaluations. The bill provides detailed definitions of what constitutes a psychological or psychiatric examination or treatment, which includes surveys, screenings, or methods embedded in academic lessons that seek to elicit information about a child's attitudes, feelings, or mental state. The bill clarifies that employees can still verbally inquire about a child's general well-being and conduct academic lessons that do not directly probe a child's mental or emotional state. It maintains existing exceptions for videotaping or recording children for safety, extracurricular activities, classroom instruction, media coverage, and student safety purposes. Additionally, the bill requires school districts to retain written informed parental consent as part of a child's educational records. The legislation will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in the Texas Legislature, or on September 1, 2025, if it does not receive the required voting threshold.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4003