A new Texas state law mandates that schools receive parental permission before providing counseling services.
ODESSA, Texas — It’s dubbed the Parental Bill of Rights. Last June, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 12, which says classrooms should remain focused on education, not indoctrination.
Midland parent Cashus Walton believes the message is a no-brainer.
“You’re grooming somebody else’s kid,” Walton said. “When it comes to my son, I’d like him to be raised a certain way. I have my own values and morals. If I unknowingly have somebody counteracting whatever it is I’m tryna instill in my child, that’s gonna cause problems at home.”
Included in the bill is a requirement that all schools receive parental permission before providing students with guidance services of any kind. Before a child can visit a college, military or mental health counselor, their parent must sign a consent form. If not, the child will be denied those services.
Princess Rico is a mother of three students. She wants what’s best for her children, but she also wants to control the information they receive.
“I mean I don’t mind if my kids have counseling,” Rico said. “But all that military stuff? It’s like, no.”
For these parents, consent is a form of trust between the school and guardians. At the end of the day, they say it’s about what’s best for the child.
“Take care of the kids,” Walton said. “Don’t be corrupting the kids. Don’t freaking go out here messing up people’s lives. They’re our future so, take care of it.”
The new law goes into effect Sept. 1.