Bill > S06923

This bill amends the New York State Education Law to explicitly allow students to be absent from school for mental or behavioral health reasons. Specifically, the bill adds language to Section 3210 that permits absences due to a student's mental or behavioral health, with the details of such absences to be established by rules created by the Commissioner of Education. This provision is added to both the sections covering attendance at public schools and attendance at other educational institutions. The bill uses gender-neutral language, replacing gendered pronouns with terms like "such minor" throughout the text. The modification aims to recognize mental and behavioral health as valid reasons for school absence, similar to how the law already permits absences for religious observances. The bill will take effect on the first of July following its passage, with preliminary rules and regulations about implementation allowed to be developed immediately after the bill becomes law.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S6923