83R646 AED-D
 
  By: Dukes, Collier H.B. No. 455
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to excused absences from public school for certain
  students.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 25.087(b), Education Code, is amended 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)  observing religious holy days;
                     (B)  attending a required court appearance;
                     (C)  appearing at a governmental office to
  complete paperwork required in connection with the student's
  application for United States citizenship;
                     (D)  taking part in a United States naturalization
  oath ceremony; or
                     (E)  serving as an election clerk; or
               (2)  a temporary absence resulting from an appointment
  with health care professionals for the student or the student's
  child if the [that] student commences classes or returns to school
  on the same day of the appointment.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2013-2014
  school year.
         SECTION 3.  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 September 1, 2013.