BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1212
88R2020 JTZ-D	By: Jetton et al. (Kolkhorst)
	Education
	5/9/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current law requires public school districts to excuse certain student absences due to religious holy days; however, districts are able to determine their own method of excusing these absences. In districts where a note is required from a religious leader, it can be impractical to get the absence excused, which may negatively impact the student's education. H.B. 1212 seeks to remove additional burdens for students or families seeking an excused absence for this purpose by requiring a district to accept a note from a parent indicating that a student's absence occurred due to observance of a religious holy day or travel for such observance.

Key Provisions:

• Prohibits a public school district, for purposes of excusing a student from attending school to observe a religious holy day, from requiring documentation from a clergy member or other religious leader.
• Requires a district to accept a note from the student's parent or person standing in parental relation verifying the purpose of a student's absence.
• The bill's provisions apply beginning with the 2023�2024 school year.

H.B. 1212 amends current law relating to verification of excused absences from public school for the purpose of observing religious holy days.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 25.087, Education Code, by adding Subsection (f), as follows:

(f) Provides that a school district, for purposes of excusing a student from attending school to observe a religious holy day under Subsection (b)(1)(A) (relating to requiring a school district to excuse a student from attending school for observing religious holy days):

(1) is prohibited from requiring documentation from a clergy member or other religious leader; and

(2) is required to accept a note from the student's parent or person standing in parental relation verifying the purpose of the student's absence.

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2023�2024 school year.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.