HOUSE BILL 38
Summary of House Bill 38
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SPONSOR(S)
Rep. Willis Blackshear (District 38) Rep. Jessica Miranda (District 28) TARGETS K-12 Students and Families K-12 Schools DESCRIPTION Creates 3 "mental health day" excused absences for students in grades K-12, with certain exceptions |
COMMITTEE
House Primary and Secondary Education Committee INTRODUCED February 15, 2023 BILL General Info | As-Written | Analysis |
What does House Bill 38 do?
House Bill 38 creates the opportunity for students in grades K-12 to take 3 "mental health day" excused absences per school year. The bill defines mental health days as a "day during which a student attends to the student's emotional and psychological well-being in lieu of attending school."
School districts may:
Districts can prohibit the use of mental health days on certain dates, "such as school days scheduled for standardized testing," as long as they provide advance notice of prohibited days on the school calendar.
School districts may:
- Permit a student in grades K-12 to take up to 3 mental health days as excused absences from school
- These absences do not require a physician's or health professional's certification of the student's condition
- Create an in-school mental health support program for students to attend in lieu of regular classes, or allow the student to be excused from school altogether
- Refer that student to appropriate school health and support services, such as counseling
Districts can prohibit the use of mental health days on certain dates, "such as school days scheduled for standardized testing," as long as they provide advance notice of prohibited days on the school calendar.