Good Longhorn News

House Bill 2420 is a bill that is currently trying to get approved by the Governor of Kansas. This bill will make it required to obtain written parental consent before providing school-based mental health services. This includes interventions affecting a student’s social, emotional, or behavioral functioning. 

Schools violating this law would face a $5,000 civil penalty per violation. However, this bill doesn’t cover tier 1 supports and allows exceptions for immediate suicide risk assessments. The bill is currently in the committee stage, having been referred to the House Education Committee on February 12, 2026. Though, there is one question everyone has, is this bill morally right? 

Junior English teacher, Ms.Kleeman, thought this bill would be horrible. “Sometimes kids need a safe space to talk and process what they are going through. Unfortunately this can include problems at home. Counselors are already mandated reporters, so anything less than that should be between the student and who THEY choose to tell.” 

She makes a good point. Privacy is non-negotiable for most people, especially those who don’t have a perfect relationship with their parents. Carlie Obregon, sophomore, backs this opinion up saying, “I don’t think it should happen because if you ask your parents to sign off, it could lead to an awkward conversation, and your parents knowing things you might not want them to know.” 

Senior Mattea Kennis makes another good point, she says “I went to the grief counseling they held in August and it was really beneficial for me. Having to have written consent from parents would take opportunities like that away, so I don’t think that this is a bill that should be passed.” 

Many other people agree with this. Mass counseling shouldn’t be something taken away from students. Another point, counselor Mrs.Gifford made was “I just worry that if HB2420 were to be approved and passed that a lot of students would lose their only way of getting help that they need. School counselors are a free resource and often they’re easily accessible, which is what students who are struggling need.”

After much consideration, Holcomb High School has come to a conclusion that this bill is in fact morally wrong. With gaps in the bill, student confidentiality, mass counseling, and overbearing parents, this bill is bound to make things worse within school districts, and students personal mental health. With all of this out, what do you think?