TITLE: Relating to excused absences from public school for a student's mental or behavioral health.

SUMMARY: Relating to excused absences from public school for a student's mental or behavioral health.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to excused absences from public school for a student's mental or behavioral health. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 25.087, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (b-9) and amending Subsection (d) to read as follows: (b-9) A school district shall excuse a student from attending school for a maximum of five days in a school year for the student's mental or behavioral health. The district may not require the student to provide a statement from a health care professional to justify or verify the student's absence. On a student's second excused absence under this subsection, the district may refer the student to the district's school counselor or other appropriate school support personnel. (d) A student whose absence is excused under Subsection (b), (b-1), (b-2), (b-4), (b-5), (b-7), (b-8), (b-9), or (c) may not be penalized for that absence and shall be counted as if the student attended school for purposes of calculating the average daily attendance of students in the school district. A student whose absence is excused under Subsection (b), (b-1), (b-2), (b-4), (b-5), (b-7), (b-8), (b-9), or (c) shall be allowed a reasonable time to make up school work missed on those days. If the student satisfactorily completes the school work, the day of absence shall be counted as a day of compulsory attendance. SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.