Bill > HB619

This bill allows school districts in Ohio to permit students in grades kindergarten through twelve to take up to three "mental health days" as excused absences from school each school year. These absences do not require a physician's or other health professional's certification, and students will be given the opportunity to make up any missed schoolwork. The mental health days are not counted towards the absence hours that trigger parental notification under state law. School districts can choose to excuse students from school altogether or provide an in-school mental health program for students to attend instead of regular classes. Districts may also refer students who use a mental health day to appropriate support services, such as counseling or psychological services. School districts must implement the same mental health day policy in each of their school buildings and can prohibit the use of these days on certain dates, such as days scheduled for standardized testing, with advance notice to students and families.