The Cullman County Board of Education (CCBOE) approved several policy revisions on October 16, 2025, aimed at updating mental health services for students. This decision aligns with new legislative changes in Alabama, particularly concerning the age of medical consent, which was raised from 14 to 16 under Senate Bill 101, sponsored by Sen. Larry Stutts.
The legislation, effective from October 1, 2025, includes a significant amendment that restricts school personnel, including educators and counselors, from providing mental health services without a completed opt-in form from a parent or guardian. These services encompass education on mental health, suicide prevention, and bullying prevention.
In certain circumstances, exceptions to this requirement apply. For instance, if a student poses an imminent threat to themselves or others, immediate grief counseling is needed, or if there is suspicion of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, educators may act without parental consent. Additionally, minors who are pregnant, emancipated, or living independently of their parents are exempt from this restriction.
The bill has garnered support from conservative groups advocating for parental rights, such as Moms for Liberty. These organizations argue that previous statewide standards allowed for loopholes that undermined parental authority in counseling services, which they claimed relied on national standards perceived as indoctrination.
Following the board meeting, Karen Pinion, the CCBOE Mental Health Services Coordinator, announced that parents would receive the revised opt-in form via email on October 17, 2025. To ensure their child continues to receive mental health services, parents will need to return the completed form.
The Alabama Department of Education has also been proactive, releasing a comprehensive 50-page draft outlining an updated counseling model. This document aims to enhance parental involvement in the guidance provided to students, reflecting the state’s commitment to ensuring that parents play a significant role in their children’s mental health support.
As these changes take effect, the CCBOE and Alabama educational authorities emphasize the importance of balancing student mental health needs with parental rights, aiming for a supportive environment for students while respecting family autonomy.
