A School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) is a group appointed by the school district to serve at the district level. Members of the SHAC come from different areas of the community and from within the school district. Most members must be parents who are not employed by the district. Texas law (Texas Education Code, Title 2, Subtitle F, Chapter 28, Subchapter A, §28.004) requires the establishment of a SHAC for every school district. SHACs are required to meet at least four times each year. 

SHACs assist the districts to ensure local community values are reflected in health education instruction. Additionally, SHACs play an important role in strengthening the connection between health and learning. They can help parents and community stakeholders reinforce the knowledge and skills children need to stay healthy for a lifetime. To learn more about SHACs, view the DSHS SHAC Guide,  linked below in English and Spanish. 

In English: School Health Advisory Council: a Guide for Texas School Districts

En Español: Consejo Consultivo de Salud Escolar: Guía para los Distritos Escolares de Texas Consejo Consultivo de Salud Escolar: Guía para los Distritos Escolares de Texas

View additional resources on the School Health Resource Library’s TSHAC/SHAC page for information about starting, running, and maintaining a SHAC. 

Legislation

Listed below are a few frequently referenced bills in Texas legislation relevant to schools. 

House Bill 18 - Relating to consideration of the mental health of public-school students in training requirements for certain school employees, curriculum requirements, counseling programs, educational programs, state and regional programs and services, and health care services for students and to mental health first aid program training and reporting regarding local mental health authority and school district personnel.  

House Bill 1525 – Relating to updated procedures in recommending human sexuality instruction curriculum and changes in meeting requirements to include posting a notice of the meeting, recording the meeting, and posting minutes to the school district website.   

Senate Bill 9 (Special Session) – Relating to updated procedures in recommending child abuse, family violence, dating violence, and sex trafficking curriculum.   

Senate Bill 11 - Relating to policies, procedures, and measures for school safety and mental health promotion in public schools and the creation of the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium.

Senate Bill 435 - Relating to recommendations by local school health advisory councils regarding opioid addiction and abuse education in public schools.