Texas House Bill HB455

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to excused absences from public school for certain students.

Impact

The bill's enactment will affect how school districts manage attendance policies for students. By clearly outlining valid reasons for excused absences, it aims to provide consistency across public schools in Texas. This clarity could help reduce the ambiguity surrounding what constitutes an acceptable reason for missing school, ensuring that students are not penalized for participating in significant civic or religious activities.

Summary

House Bill 455 addresses the issue of excused absences for students in public schools in Texas. The legislation amends Section 25.087 of the Education Code to specify the purposes for which a school district must excuse a student from attending school. These purposes include observing religious holy days, attending required court appearances, participating in U.S. citizenship application processes, and serving as an election clerk. Additionally, the bill recognizes health care appointments that allow students to return to school on the same day as the appointment.

Contention

While the bill may generally receive support for promoting student engagement in civic duties and accommodating religious practices, some potential contention could arise regarding the interpretation of 'acceptable' absences, particularly concerning health appointments. There may also be concerns from school districts on the administrative burden of implementing and monitoring these new requirements, particularly ensuring compliance with various attendance policies while adhering to the provisions of the bill.