The Texas Legislature convened on May 25, 2025, for a House Legislative Session that addressed several significant amendments concerning student surveys and counseling practices in schools. The meeting began with a discussion on an amendment aimed at increasing parental involvement in student surveys. The amendment proposed that if a school district sends a survey home with a student and does not receive a response from the parent within 15 days, the district would send a second survey. Additionally, it required districts to post any surveys on their websites.

Representative Leach opposed the amendment, expressing concerns that it could allow schools to survey students without parental consent. In response, Representative Dutton, the amendment's author, argued that the amendment was necessary to address the reality that not all parents are involved in their children's education. He emphasized that the amendment would empower parents while still allowing schools to act if parents do not engage.

The amendment was put to a vote but ultimately failed, with 49 votes in favor and 75 against.

Following this, another amendment was introduced by Representative Schatzline, which sought to ensure that children could not consent to counseling without parental knowledge, particularly regarding emotional abuse. Schatzline explained that the amendment aimed to prevent counselors from discussing sensitive topics without parental consent, arguing that emotional abuse is subjective and could lead to counselors overstepping their boundaries.

During the discussion, concerns were raised about how counselors would identify abuse if they could not speak to children without parental consent. Schatzline clarified that while counselors would still have the ability to report legitimate abuse, the amendment aimed to restrict discussions that could be deemed emotional abuse without parental involvement.

This amendment was accepted by the author and passed with a vote of 85 in favor and 50 against.

The session concluded with the introduction of another amendment by Representative Schoolcraft, which sought to prohibit student clubs based on sexual orientation or gender identity. A point of order was raised against this amendment, but it was subsequently withdrawn, allowing the discussion to continue.

Overall, the session highlighted ongoing debates about parental rights, student privacy, and the role of schools in addressing sensitive issues related to student welfare. The outcomes of these discussions will likely influence future legislative actions regarding education policies in Texas.