BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 207

By: Paxton

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Under state law, public school districts must excuse student absences for appointments with health care professionals; however, the bill sponsor has informed the committee that districts have not consistently interpreted this statute as requiring excused absences for appointments with mental health professionals. S.B. 207 seeks to provide clarity with respect to this requirement by specifying that districts must excuse certain absences resulting from an appointment with a mental health care professional.

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

S.B. 207 amends the Education Code to specify that, for purposes of the requirement for a public school district to excuse a student from attending school 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, such an appointment includes an appointment with a mental health professional. The bill applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.