79S10074 ESH-D

By:  Alonzo                                                       H.B. No. 47 



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the absence of a student from school for activities in 
connection with obtaining United States citizenship.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 25.087, Education Code, is amended by 
amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as 
follows:
	(b)  A school district shall excuse a student from attending 
school for:
		(1)  the purpose of observing religious holy days, 
including traveling for that purpose;
		(2)  a [.  A school district shall excuse a student for] 
temporary absence resulting from an appointment with a health care 
professional [professionals] if the [that] student commences 
classes or returns to school on the same day of the appointment; or
		(3)  the purpose of appearing at a governmental office 
to complete paperwork required in connection with the student's 
application for United States citizenship or to take part in a 
naturalization oath ceremony, including traveling for that 
purpose.
	(c)  A student whose absence is excused under Subsection (b)
[this subsection] may not be penalized for that absence and shall be 
counted as if the student attended school for purposes of 
calculating the average daily attendance of students in the school 
district.  A student whose absence is excused under Subsection (b)
[this subsection] shall be allowed a reasonable time to make up 
school work missed on those days.  If the student satisfactorily 
completes the school work, the day of absence shall be counted as a 
day of compulsory attendance.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the 
legislative session.