• Here is a link to the updated guidance from TEA on Senate Bill 12. The draft of potential rule text can assist school systems in complying with the statute, see subsections (b)(8), (b)(14), and (o) for help with school counseling implementation. Additional questions on this TEA guidance may be submitted to 89th@tea.texas.gov.

• TASB Consent for Counseling Services form

• TAA August 28, 2025

• Full text of SB 12

• TEA Parental Rights and Options Form

• TCA Statement on SB 12

• By January 1, 2026, in addition to SB 12 parental rights form requirements and as a requirement of SB 204, TEA must also create and maintain a parental rights handbook that explains all rights of a parent regarding the education of the parent’s child. This handbook is currently in development and will be released in the coming months. 

  • • Note: This parental rights form is required for school districts. Open-enrollment charter schools should communicate with parents and families about their rights in alignment with legislation that applies to charter schools and their local policies.

• SB 12 requires TEA to “adopt a procedure for school districts to notify the parent of a student enrolled in the district regarding any change in services provided to or monitoring of the student related to the student’s mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being.” 

  • • Note: This requirement also applies to open-enrollment charter schools.

• TEA draft of potential rule text 

• TEA has developed a model notice for school systems to share with parents and families. While school systems are permitted to modify the language of this model notice, certain requirements must be met to satisfy statutory requirements.

• Counselor-Related Parts of SB 12

• The National Association of Social Workers Texas Chapter: School Social Workers' Guide to Senate Bill 12

• Legislative Update Fall 2025 - Google Slides from Region 6

• TEA 89th Legislature Updates

As a result of Senate Bill 571, passed during the 89th Texas Legislative Session, there has been an amendment to Texas Family Code §261.101(b). This change directly impacts the timeline for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect. The required timeframe to report suspected child abuse has been reduced from 48 hours to 24 hours after first suspecting that a child has been abused or neglected. This change applies to all professionals who are required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect, including educators and nurses.