Skip To Main Content

Health Services Annual Parent Notice

Senate Bill 12 (SB 12) Parent Information

Notice

This information is provided in accordance with the parent notification requirements of Texas Senate Bill (SB) 12 and Texas Education Code §26.0083. Joshua ISD is committed to keeping parents informed about the health-related services available to students and the role parents play in making decisions regarding their child's health while at school.

Our Commitment to Families

Joshua ISD believes parents are essential partners in supporting student health and well-being. Our Health Services Department is committed to open communication with families while providing safe, appropriate care to students during the school day.

For most families, SB 12 does not represent a significant change in how Health Services operates. Many of the services addressed by SB 12 have long required parent authorization and/or physician orders under existing state law, nursing standards, and district procedures.

Parent Rights

Parents have the right to:

  • Receive information regarding health-related services available on their child's campus.

  • Provide or withhold consent for services requiring parental authorization.

  • Change consent decisions during the school year.

  • Access their child's education and health records as permitted by law.

  • Be informed of significant changes to health-related services or monitoring as required by state law.

Services That Already Require Parent Consent

Joshua ISD has always required parent authorization—and when applicable, physician orders—for medical services provided at school.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Administration of prescription medications

  • Administration of non-prescription medications

  • Diabetes care

  • Seizure action plans and rescue medications

  • Asthma management requiring medication

  • Epinephrine administration plans

  • Tube feedings

  • Catheterizations

  • Specialized nursing procedures

  • Any other medical procedure requiring physician orders or individualized nursing care

These practices are not new under SB 12 and remain unchanged.

Routine First Aid

School nurses and trained campus personnel continue to provide routine first aid for minor illnesses and injuries that occur during the school day.

Routine first aid may include:

  • Cleaning minor cuts and scrapes

  • Applying adhesive bandages

  • Applying cold therapy (ice packs)

  • Assisting with minor nosebleeds

  • Checking a student's temperature when appropriate

  • Providing hydration or simple nutritional support (such as water or crackers)

  • Providing comfort measures and general observation

  • Other non-medicated interventions consistent with district standing orders approved by the district's medical advisor

Joshua ISD follows conservative standing orders approved by the district's medical advisor. The district does not routinely administer medications containing active ingredients without the appropriate parent authorization and, when applicable, physician orders, except as permitted by law during emergency situations.

Health Screenings

Texas law requires schools to conduct certain health screenings for students.

Depending on a student's age, grade level, or other state requirements, screenings may include:

  • Vision screening

  • Hearing screening

  • Spinal screening (when applicable)

  • Acanthosis nigricans screening (when applicable)

Parents receive notification regarding these screenings during annual student registration and may exercise any rights provided under applicable Texas law.

School Nursing Services

Joshua ISD Health Services provides nursing care that supports students' health and safety during the school day.

Services may include:

  • Assessment of illness or injury

  • Routine first aid

  • Medication administration with required authorization

  • Management of chronic health conditions

  • Emergency response

  • Coordination of individualized health plans

  • Communication with parents regarding student health concerns

Parents will be notified and consent will be obtained whenever required by applicable law.

Emergencies

If a medical emergency occurs at school, district personnel will provide emergency care necessary to protect the student's health and safety while attempting to contact the student's parent or guardian as quickly as reasonably possible.

Changing Your Consent

Parents may update or change their consent decisions at any time during the school year.

To ensure accurate documentation and protect student health records, requests to change consent for health services must be submitted in writing to the student's campus nurse.

Written requests may be submitted by email or another district-approved written method. The campus nurse will update the student's health record and communicate any additional documentation that may be required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does SB 12 change how the school nurse cares for my child?

  • For most families, no. Joshua ISD has long required parent authorization and physician orders for medical services requiring consent. SB 12 primarily establishes additional parent notification requirements and reinforces parents' role in decisions regarding their child's health care at school.

Will the nurse still provide first aid?

  • Yes. School nurses and trained campus personnel will continue to provide routine first aid for minor illnesses and injuries that occur during the school day.

Will my child receive medication without my permission?

  • Except as permitted by law in emergency situations, medications requiring parent authorization will continue to require parent consent and any applicable physician orders before they are administered at school.

What if my child has a chronic medical condition?

  • Existing health plans and nursing procedures remain in place. Parents should continue working with their campus nurse to provide current medical documentation and update their child's care plan as needed.

How do I change my child's health services consent?

  • Parents may update their consent decisions at any time during the school year by submitting a written request to the campus nurse. Written requests help ensure student health records remain accurate and that requested changes are properly documented.

For questions regarding Health Services or your child's health care at school, please contact your campus nurse or the Joshua ISD Health Services Department.