BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1157

By: Lozano

Youth Health & Safety, Select

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

School counselors and directors of guidance report that, although temporary student absences due to appointments with health care professionals are excused absences under current law, some registrars do not excuse absences for appointments with mental health professionals. H.B. 1157 seeks to clarify that temporary student absences for appointments with mental health professionals are considered excused absences.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1157 amends the Education Code to require a public school district to excuse a student from attending school for a temporary absence resulting from an appointment with mental health professionals for a student or the student's child if the student commences classes or returns to school on the same day of the appointment. The bill applies beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.