88R3598 DIO-F
By: Paxton S.B. No. 1101
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to excused absences from public school for certain
students to attend mental health care appointments.
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;
(E) serving as an election clerk; or
(F) if the student is in the conservatorship of
the Department of Family and Protective Services, participating, as
determined and documented by the department, in an activity:
(i) ordered by a court under Chapter 262 or
263, Family Code, provided that it is not practicable to schedule
the participation outside of school hours; or
(ii) required under a service plan under
Subchapter B, Chapter 263, Family Code;
(2) a temporary absence resulting from an appointment
with health care professionals, including mental health
professionals, for the student or the student's child if the
student commences classes or returns to school on the same day of
the appointment; or
(3) an absence resulting from a serious or
life-threatening illness or related treatment that makes the
student's attendance infeasible, if the student or the student's
parent or guardian provides a certification from a physician
licensed to practice medicine in this state specifying the
student's illness and the anticipated period of the student's
absence relating to the illness or related treatment.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024
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, 2023.