BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 207 89R2507 ANG-F By: Paxton; Johnson Education K-16 2/10/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Schools are required to excuse student absences for appointments with health care professionals; however, school districts have not consistently interpreted this statute as requiring excused absences for appointments with mental health professionals. The proposed legislation simply clarifies that appointments with a mental health professional are excused absences. As proposed, S.B. 207 amends current law relating to excused absences from public school for certain students to attend mental health care appointments. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 25.087(b), Education Code, as follows: (b) Requires a school district to excuse a student from attending school for certain purposes, including a temporary absence resulting from an appointment with 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. SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 20252026 school year. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 207
89R2507 ANG-F By: Paxton; Johnson
Education K-16
2/10/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 207
89R2507 ANG-F
By: Paxton; Johnson
Education K-16
2/10/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Schools are required to excuse student absences for appointments with health care professionals; however, school districts have not consistently interpreted this statute as requiring excused absences for appointments with mental health professionals.
The proposed legislation simply clarifies that appointments with a mental health professional are excused absences.
As proposed, S.B. 207 amends current law relating to excused absences from public school for certain students to attend mental health care appointments.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 25.087(b), Education Code, as follows:
(b) Requires a school district to excuse a student from attending school for certain purposes, including a temporary absence resulting from an appointment with 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.
SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 20252026 school year.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.