By: Zaffirini, Springer S.B. No. 68
(In the Senate - Filed November 14, 2022; February 15, 2023,
read first time and referred to Committee on Education;
April 6, 2023, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 11,
Nays 0; April 6, 2023, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to excused absences from public school for certain
students to visit a professional's workplace for a career
investigation day.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 25.087, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (b-8) and amending Subsection (d) to read as
follows:
(b-8) A school district may excuse a student from attending
school for a career investigation day to visit a professional at the
professional's workplace during the student's junior and senior
years of high school for the purpose of determining the student's
interest in pursuing a career in the professional's field, provided
that:
(1) the district may not excuse for this purpose more
than two days during the student's junior year and two days during
the student's senior year; and
(2) the district adopts:
(A) a policy to determine when an absence may be
excused for this purpose; and
(B) a procedure to verify the student's visit at
the professional's workplace.
(d) A student whose absence is excused under Subsection (b),
(b-1), (b-2), (b-4), (b-5), (b-7), (b-8), or (c) may not be
penalized for that absence and shall be counted as if the student
attended school for purposes of calculating the average daily
attendance of students in the school district. A student whose
absence is excused under Subsection (b), (b-1), (b-2), (b-4),
(b-5), (b-7), (b-8), or (c) shall be allowed a reasonable time to
make up school work missed on those days. If the student
satisfactorily completes the school work, the day of absence shall
be counted as a day of compulsory attendance.
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.
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