It was effectively mandatory, as the opt-out was a difficult, phantom procedure. It wasn’t a real opt-out. How many times does that have to beexplained before people understand it?
Absolutely not.
The opt out had become very difficult, but the Governor’s EO made it easier and that part is still in effect.
Prior to the EO, parents had to write to Austin or go there in person to request to request the affidavit form that is given to the school.
The Governor’s EO stated that the form to request the form be made available on line. Parents may now go on line, fill out a request for each child, and the form is mailed to them. (They or their doctor fill out the form, it is turned into the school, and no record is returned to Austin.)
One very big step and a lot of time is saved this way.
A Google search yielded this information with the State law,
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/texas.aspx
and this site at the Department of State Health Services,
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/school/default.shtm#infoforschoolchildcare
with the form, here
https://webds.dshs.state.tx.us/immco/affidavit.shtm