Bill > A5221

Introduced Session

This bill requires school districts to recognize and record public school student absences for mental or behavioral health reasons as excused absences. In order to have the absence recognized as a mental or behavioral health absence, the parent or guardian is required to provide any documentation that the superintendent or administrative principal of the school district deems necessary to prove the student's absence is related to mental or behavioral health. As an excused absence, students are required to be given the opportunity to: 1) be eligible for any award or recognition offer by the school on the basis of attendance; and 2) make up any school work or examination that was missed during the mental or behavioral health absence. This bill requires the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health, to develop guidelines that define an excused absence related to the mental or behavioral health of the student. Twelve states have legislation excusing student absences for mental or behavioral health reasons. Recognizing the importance that mental health has on public school students, the sponsor intends for this bill to provide students with the flexibility they need to address their mental and behavioral health needs.

AI Summary

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Aura Dunn (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 02/23/2023)

Official Document