89R12049 RAL-F
By: Plesa H.B. No. 3624
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to excused absences from public school for a student's
mental or behavioral health.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 25.087, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (b-9) and amending Subsection (d) to read as
follows:
(b-9) A school district shall excuse a student from
attending school for a maximum of five days in a school year for the
student's mental or behavioral health. The district may not
require the student to provide a statement from a health care
professional to justify or verify the student's absence. On a
student's second excused absence under this subsection, the
district may refer the student to the district's school counselor
or other appropriate school support personnel.
(d) A student whose absence is excused under Subsection (b),
(b-1), (b-2), (b-4), (b-5), (b-7), (b-8), (b-9), 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), (b-9), 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 2025-2026
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, 2025.