83R646 AED-D By: Dukes, Collier H.B. No. 455 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to excused absences from public school for certain students. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 25.087(b), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) A school district shall excuse a student from attending school for: (1) the following purposes, including travel for those purposes: (A) observing religious holy days; (B) attending a required court appearance; (C) appearing at a governmental office to complete paperwork required in connection with the student's application for United States citizenship; (D) taking part in a United States naturalization oath ceremony; or (E) serving as an election clerk; or (2) a temporary absence resulting from an appointment with health care professionals for the student or the student's child if the [that] student commences classes or returns to school on the same day of the appointment. SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2013-2014 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. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.