"School nurses in Texas find themselves uncertain about the services they can offer to students due to a recently implemented parental consent law"

"School nurses in Texas find themselves uncertain about the services they can offer to students due to a recently implemented parental consent law"

School nurses in Texas are grappling with a new state law, Senate Bill 12, which requires schools to obtain parental consent before administering health care services to students. The law, which took effect on Sept. 1, has led to a mix of interpretations and inconsistencies in its implementation across the state's more than 1,200 school districts.

The guidance from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) notes that parents retain the right to make medical decisions for their children and that consent is necessary prior to schools providing medical or health assistance, unless it is for life-saving care. However, some district officials have taken an all-or-nothing approach, requiring parental consent for all services provided by school nurses, while others have interpreted the law as still allowing for regular care, like first-aid treatment and injury evaluation.

This inconsistency in implementation can be attributed to state lawmakers not listening to school professionals who know exactly how their campuses function. School nurses have expressed concern that the all-or-nothing approach could make parents more upset because they may not understand why certain services are off-limits. Some district officials have provided detailed consent forms to families, allowing them to opt in or out of various services provided by school nurses.

Rep. Jeff Leach, one of the authors of SB 12, expects educators to comply with the clear provisions of the bill but also expects them not to suspend common sense when it comes to providing basic care for the children at their schools. He and Sen. Brandon Creighton, the other author of the bill, have sent a letter to Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath, calling on his agency to provide clear and consistent guidance to schools.

The TEA is revising its guidance to ensure schools receive clear direction, with updated information to be released early next week. School nurses, who are practicing with a sense of unease due to concerns about potentially jeopardizing their licenses, are hoping for more clarity.

It's important to note that SB 12 also bans diversity, equity and inclusion practices, instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity, and LGBTQ+ student clubs. This additional provision has added to the confusion and unease among school professionals as they navigate the new legislation.

The solution to the confusion may not be as simple as people think. Diana Rios-Rodriguez, board president of the Texas School Nurses Organization, expressed concern that the all-or-nothing approach could lead to misunderstandings and frustration among parents. Hollie Smith, president-elect of the organization, echoed these sentiments, expressing unease about practicing due to concerns about potentially jeopardizing their licenses.

As the TEA works to provide clearer guidance, school nurses and district officials will continue to navigate this new terrain, aiming to provide the best possible care for students while adhering to the letter and spirit of the law.

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