1 of 1
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 762 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1273
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
John C. Velis
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to the mental health of children in schools.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :John C. VelisHampden and HampshireMark C. MontignySecond Bristol and Plymouth2/7/2023James K. Hawkins2nd Bristol2/8/2023Patrick M. O'ConnorFirst Plymouth and Norfolk2/8/2023Rebecca L. RauschNorfolk, Worcester and Middlesex2/14/2023Shirley B. Arriaga8th Hampden2/28/2023Patricia D. JehlenSecond Middlesex3/3/2023 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 762 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1273
By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1273) of John C. Velis, Mark C.
Montigny, James K. Hawkins, Patrick M. O'Connor and other members of the General Court for
legislation relative to the mental health of children in schools. Mental Health, Substance Use
and Recovery.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1318 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
_______________
An Act relative to the mental health of children in schools.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Section 1 of chapter 76 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is
2hereby amended by inserting after the word “week” the following sentences:-
3 Absences may also be permitted for mental health symptoms; provided further, that said
4absences shall be excused in the same manner as physical health symptoms; and provided
5further, that required documentation, from guardians or health professionals, shall be consistent
6with physical health absences documentation. When documentation is required from a health
7care professional, a school shall accept documentation from licensed mental health care
8professionals in the same manner as documentation from other health care professionals. A
9student with an absence due to mental or behavioral health shall be offered the opportunity to 2 of 2
10meet with a certified school counselor upon return to school but said student shall not be required
11to do so.