Amend CSHB 2 by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION of
the bill to read as follows and renumbering the existing SECTIONs of
the bill accordingly:
Section __
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 following purposes, including travel for those
purposes:
(A) [purpose of] observing religious holy days;
(B) 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;
(C) attending an appointment with the student's
probation officer;
(D) attending an adoption proceeding involving
the student; or
(E) attending a required court appearance; or
(2) a [, including traveling for that purpose. A
school district shall excuse a student for] temporary absence
resulting from health care professionals if that student commences
classes or returns to school on the same day of the appointment.
(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.