BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1212

By: Jetton

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

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.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1212 amends the Education Code to prohibit 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. The bill 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.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.