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Bill

HB 789

Relating to requiring parental consent for psychological or psychiatric examination, testing, or treatment conducted by school district personnel.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Brad Buckley and 10 co-sponsors

Texas bill requiring parental consent before schools conduct psychological/psychiatric exams and treatment on students, potentially limiting early mental health intervention and screening.

Referred to Public Education
#education--primary&secondary--otherschoolpersonnel(i0246) #education--schooldistricts(i0220) #mentalhealth&substanceabuse(i0019) #minors--health&safety(i0533) #parentalconsent(s0318)
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Bill Summary · HB 789

Legislative bill overview

HB 789 would require Texas school districts to obtain explicit parental consent before school personnel can conduct psychological or psychiatric examinations, testing, or treatment of students. The bill establishes parental notification and consent requirements for mental health services provided within schools by district employees.

Why is this important

This bill directly affects how schools identify and support students with mental health needs, potentially impacting early intervention for conditions like depression, anxiety, or learning disabilities. It raises questions about balancing parental rights with school officials' duty to identify students who may need mental health services, and could affect millions of Texas students' access to screening and support.

Potential points of contention

  • Parental rights vs. student advocacy: Supporters argue parents should control their children's medical decisions; opponents worry some parents may withhold consent for legitimate mental health concerns, leaving struggling students without help
  • Identifying at-risk students: Schools currently identify potential mental health issues through observations; requiring prior consent could delay identification of students in crisis or whose parents are unaware of problems
  • Definition and scope ambiguity: The bill's language around what constitutes "testing" or "examination" could be interpreted broadly (including informal assessments, teacher observations) or narrowly, creating implementation uncertainty

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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