Education: attendance; excused mental health days; allow certain number. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1586a.
Impact
The bill's introduction is a significant step towards destigmatizing mental health concerns within educational settings. By explicitly allowing for excused absences for mental health reasons, it not only acknowledges the legitimacy of mental health challenges but also aligns with broader efforts to improve student well-being and success. This policy change may lead to better support systems for students facing these difficulties, potentially enhancing their overall academic performance and mental health outcomes.
Summary
Senate Bill No. 29 amends the Revised School Code of Michigan to establish a framework for handling absences related to mental or behavioral health issues. Specifically, it allows school officials to excuse up to five absences due to such illnesses without requiring a medical note. This provision aims to support students who may struggle with mental health challenges, recognizing the importance of flexibility in attendance policies to cater to diverse student needs. Schools are mandated to provide opportunities for students to make up work missed during these absences, ensuring that their education is not unduly compromised due to mental health issues.
Contention
Some potential points of contention surrounding SB 29 could involve practical implementation issues such as how schools will assess the legitimacy of absences attributed to mental health. Educators and district officials may express concerns about the absence of a medical note, which could complicate attendance records and planning for makeup work. Additionally, there may be discussions regarding the adequacy of mental health resources in schools and whether the current systems are equipped to handle the expected influx of referrals to appropriate personnel specified in the bill. Critics might also argue that this provision could be abused, leading to elevated absenteeism, although advocates for mental health support contend that the benefits outweigh these concerns.
Education: attendance; excused absence from public school for the purpose of sounding "Taps" at a military honor funeral for a deceased veteran; provide for. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1138a.
Education: attendance; excused absence from public school for participating in events offered by the National FFA Organization, the Michigan FFA, a 4-H club, or other livestock-related activities; provide for. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1138a.
Education: other; behavioral threat assessment and management teams; require schools to create. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1308e.
Education: all other employees; certain requirements related to seizure awareness; provide for. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1179c.
Education: all other employees; certain requirements related to seizure awareness; provide for. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1179c.
Crimes: criminal sexual conduct; definition of mentally incapacitated for criminal sexual conduct cases; modify. Amends sec. 520a of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.520a).