BILL ANALYSIS
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Senate Research Center |
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AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Texas ranks 4th highest out of all states nationwide in the number of teen births, with a total of 48,456 teen births in the year 2010. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Parenting stated that overall, only about 51 percent of teen moms have a high school diploma. Safeguarding against any unnecessary unexcused absences will help make a difference in the lives of teen parents and their children by helping the parent to accomplish their educational goals.
Under current statute in the Education Code, it is not mandated that students with dependents receive excused absences from school when they must take their child to an appointment with a physician.
It is important that students with dependents are encouraged to continue to excel in their academic endeavors after becoming parents. It is also important that adequate medical care for the young children of these students is supported. In order for students to secure the health of their young children, it is necessary that these students receive excused absences from school when they must take their child to an appointment with a physician.
H.B. 455 requires a school district to excuse a temporary absence for a student taking his or her dependent to an appointment with a health care professional, so long as the student comes to school the day of the appointment. Requiring that the student comes to school the day of the appointment in order to receive the excused absence is a measure that will help ensure that the student is missing as little class time as possible.
H.B. 455 amends current law relating to excused absences from public school for certain students.
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(b), Education Code, to require a school district to excuse a student from attending school under certain circumstances, including for a temporary absence resulting from an appointment with health care professionals for the student or the student's child if the student commences classes or returns to school on the same day of the appointment.
SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2013-2014 school year.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.