Texas Senate Bill 12 Advances Parental Rights with Potential School Impact

The Keller Independent School District's School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) meeting on May 12, 2025, focused on significant legislative developments and their potential impacts on student services. Key discussions centered around three major bills currently progressing through the Texas legislature, particularly Senate Bill 12, which addresses parental rights in education.

Senate Bill 12 has garnered attention for its implications on counseling, health services, and sex education within schools. The bill, which has passed both the Senate and the House Public Education Committee, emphasizes parental authority over their children's moral and religious upbringing. It mandates parental consent for medical and psychological treatments, requires schools to inform parents of any changes in services related to their child's health, and shifts human sexuality education from an opt-out to an opt-in model. Additionally, the bill prohibits instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity and restricts the formation of student clubs based on these topics.

The council highlighted that these legislative changes could significantly affect the services provided by SHAC, particularly in areas related to mental and emotional health. While other bills may also influence SHAC's operations, the focus remained on these three high-priority measures due to their immediate relevance.

Following the legislative discussion, Stephanie Grieving, the district's child nutrition coordinator, provided an overview of the food service programs in place. She detailed the management of food service contracts and the daily operations necessary to comply with federal meal pattern requirements for reimbursement.

The meeting underscored the ongoing adjustments the district must make in response to legislative changes while ensuring minimal impact on the budget and student services. As these bills progress, the council plans to monitor their implications closely and may reconvene to discuss additional legislative matters that arise.