BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1157
88R3598 DIO-F	By: Lozano (Paxton)
	Education
	5/17/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Schools are required to excuse students absences for appointments with health care professionals; however, school districts have not consistently interpreted this statute as requiring excused absences for appointments with mental health professionals. 

The proposed legislation simply clarifies that appointments with a mental health professional are excused absences. 

H.B. 1157 amends current law relating to excused absences from public school for certain students to attend mental health care appointments.

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 for certain absences, including a temporary absence resulting from an appointment with health care professionals, including mental health 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 2023�2024 school year.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.