School Boards Face an “All-or-Nothing” Decision on School Clinics That Parents Cannot Fully Opt Out Of
New Oregon certification standards force school districts into an “all-or-nothing” decision while allowing minors of any age to access contraception, mental health services, gender care referrals, and abortion referrals through clinics certified by the district.
What if a medical clinic could operate near or on your child’s school campus—and parents could not fully opt their children out?
Across Oregon, school boards from Portland to Medford are being asked to authorize School-Based Health Centers, clinics that may provide medical services, mental health treatment, contraception, and referrals for additional care directly to students. Under Oregon law, many of those services can be accessed without parental consent.
With Oregon’s updated School-Based Health Center certification standards scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026, school boards across the state are beginning to review proposals that could authorize these clinics near or on school property in the coming months.
Before those votes happen, parents deserve to understand exactly what these clinics authorize.
“Once a medical clinic is certified by the school district and placed near or on school property, parents no longer control the front door to their child’s care.”
— Suzanne Gallagher, Parents’ Rights In Education
Why This Matters
School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) are not simply expanded school nurse offices. They are medical clinics staffed by healthcare providers, operating under standards established by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
Beginning July 1, 2026, all Oregon SBHCs must comply with the state’s School-Based Health Center Standards for Certification.
These standards govern clinic operations, staffing, and service eligibility.
For school districts, this creates a clear all-or-nothing policy decision: approve the clinic under the full state certification framework—or decline the program entirely.
Once a clinic is certified, districts cannot selectively modify the services allowed under state rules.
SBHCs typically provide primary medical care, behavioral health services, and preventive care, and are commonly located near or on school property to make services accessible to students.
BY THE NUMBERS
School-Based Health Centers
Oregon
87 — State-certified SBHCs operating statewide
28 — Oregon counties hosting clinics
43,000 — Students served annually
149,000 — Patient visits each year
United States
1,900+ — School-Based Health Centers nationwide
45 — States with programs
Millions — Students receiving services annually
Sources: Oregon Health Authority; National School-Based Health Alliance.
PARENT WARNING!
Under Oregon law:
• Students of ANY age may access birth-control services and STI testing without parental consent.
• Students age 14 may receive mental-health counseling without parental involvement.
• Clinics may refer students to outside providers for abortion or gender-related medical services.
These services may occur through a clinic certified by the school district and placed near or on school property.
KEY LAWS PARENTS SHOULD KNOW
ORS 109.640
Minors may consent to birth control information and services at any age, and certain medical care beginning at age 15.
ORS 109.610
Minors may consent to testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
ORS 109.675
Minors age 14 and older may consent to outpatient mental-health or substance-use treatment without parental approval.
These laws apply to services delivered through School-Based Health Centers.
What School Boards Must Understand
Before authorizing a School-Based Health Center, school board members should consider how Oregon law interacts with the state certification framework.
Students may access contraception at any age and mental-health treatment beginning at age 14 without parental consent.
If services requested by a student are not available at the clinic, providers must make appropriate referrals to outside medical providers, including reproductive health services or gender-related medical care.
Once certified under state standards, local districts cannot selectively restrict these services.
My Take
Suzanne Gallagher
Executive Director, Parents’ Rights In Education
School boards are being asked to approve something that sounds simple: a health clinic for students.
But a School-Based Health Center is a medical clinic operating near or on school property, governed primarily by state health regulations rather than local school boards or parents.
Children should absolutely have access to healthcare. That is not the issue.
The issue is who makes the decisions.
When medical services are delivered through clinics connected to schools under state rules, the lines between education, counseling, and healthcare become blurred. Parents may have little visibility into what services their children are accessing.
Before authorizing a School-Based Health Center, families deserve full transparency about what services will be available—and what role parents will have in those decisions.
Because when it comes to a child’s health, parents should never be the last to know.
What Parents Can Do
Before approving a School-Based Health Center, parents and school board members should ask:
• Will parents be notified before their child receives services?
• What reproductive health services are offered through the clinic?
• Can students access contraception or gender-related services without parental consent?
• What outside providers may students be referred to?
• Who ultimately governs the clinic — the school board or the state?
Parents can also:
• Ask their district whether it plans to authorize a School-Based Health Center
• Request the clinic agreement and service policies
• Attend school board meetings discussing SBHC proposals
• Encourage full transparency and parental involvement in student healthcare decisions
Parents’ Rights In Education will help you spread the word!
If your district is considering school clinics, share this with parents.
Let us know what you are doing!