Parents packed the Modesto City Schools boardroom Tuesday night as trustees took a first look at a proposed mental health services policy that many in the crowd say cuts them out of the loop on their own kids. The draft, brought forward for an initial reading, would spell out how counseling, staff training and mental health resource postings work for middle and high school campuses. What was supposed to be a policy review quickly turned into a high-volume showdown over who should have the final say on a child’s care.
According to CBS Sacramento, the proposal would allow students 12 and older to consent to certain mental health counseling without parental permission when a licensed professional decides the student is mature enough and that involving a parent would be inappropriate. The plan also directs schools serving grades six through twelve to post mental health information on campus, including warning signs, coping strategies and crisis hotlines. Several parents told the board the policy sidelines families; one speaker summed it up bluntly: “It suggests you can leave the parent out.”
How state law shapes the draft
District officials pointed to recent changes in California law that expanded minors’ access to outpatient mental health services. As outlined by the California Board of Psychology, AB 665, which took effect July 1, 2024, removed the previous requirement that minors meet a narrow danger-or-abuse threshold before they can consent on their own. Instead, the law leaves it to the clinical judgment of a licensed provider to decide whether a child 12 or older is “mature enough” to participate in treatment.
District services and campus resources
Modesto City Schools already posts mental health resources and a Student Wellness policy on its Health Services pages, and school nurses and counselors provide on-campus support along with referrals to community providers. The district’s Health Services site lists contact information and programs that families can use to connect with counseling, crisis hotlines and other supports.
Board reaction and next steps
After more public comment than policy talk, trustees said the draft needs clearer language and agreed it is not ready for a final vote yet, CBS Sacramento reported. District staff warned that adding strict parental-notification rules could run afoul of state law, and board members asked staff to bring back revised wording at a future meeting.
What families should watch for…