Relating to requiring parental consent for psychological or psychiatric examination, testing, or treatment conducted by school district personnel.
HB 789 requires school districts to obtain written parental consent before school staff conduct psychological or psychiatric assessments, tests, or treatment for students. It applies to all school personnel, including contractors, and defines "mental health activities" broadly to include surveys, check-ins, or screenings disguised as academic exercises. Exceptions include mandated special education evaluations, safety recordings (like discipline footage), classroom instruction, and student safety programs. The bill also clarifies it does not override existing child counseling consent rules or mandatory child abuse reporting requirements. This law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 5, 2025
Last action Mar 5, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Mar 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to Public Education
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
2 primary · 9 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Brad Buckley
RRepublican
P
Valoree Swanson
RRepublican
Co
A.J. Louderback
RRepublican
Co
Briscoe Cain
RRepublican
Co
Caroline Harris Davila
RRepublican
Co
Cody Vasut
RRepublican
Co
David Lowe
RRepublican
Co
David Spiller
RRepublican
Co
Joanne Shofner
RRepublican
Co
Mano DeAyala
RRepublican
Co
Terri Leo-Wilson
RRepublican
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