Missouri House Bill HB2767

Missouri 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/23/22
• Refer: 5/13/22

Caption

Requires school districts to excuse students with mental or behavioral health concerns from attendance at school

Impact

The bill's introduction marks a significant shift in how educational attendance policies may operate in Missouri, emphasizing the importance of mental health in the educational landscape. It highlights a growing recognition of the need to support students facing mental health challenges, reserving the right for families to request exemptions from attendance requirements due to such concerns. The provisions included in HB2767 are also reflective of a nationwide trend towards prioritizing student mental health in educational settings.

Summary

House Bill 2767 aims to amend existing laws regarding school attendance in Missouri, specifically concerning the excusal of students who have mental or behavioral health concerns. This bill is primarily focused on ensuring that school districts must accommodate the needs of students whose mental health challenges hinder their ability to attend school regularly. It establishes clear guidelines for documenting such absences and mandates that each school district implement a policy to address these needs starting in the 2023-24 school year. The bill attempts to foster an inclusive educational environment conducive to the well-being of all students.

Contention

While many support the notion of excusing students for mental health reasons, there may be concerns about the implementation and potential for misuse of these provisions. Some legislators may argue that such allowances could lead to increased absenteeism, while others maintain that failing to recognize mental health needs can severely impact a child's education and future success. Overall, the discussions surrounding HB2767 have highlighted the delicate balance between maintaining attendance standards and recognizing individual student needs.