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  89R678 PRL-F     By: Zaffirini, Cook S.B. No. 52       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to excused absences from public school for a student's   mental or behavioral health.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 25.087, Education Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (b-9) and amending Subsection (d) to read as   follows:           (b-9)     A school district shall excuse a student from   attending school for a maximum of five days in a school year so that   the student may seek or receive mental or behavioral health   treatment, support, or diagnosis with documentation from the   student's health care professional.   The board of trustees of a   school district may adopt a policy to allow a student to be excused   for an absence related to mental or behavioral health treatment,   support, or diagnosis without documentation from the student's   health care professional. The policy may require the student to:                 (1)     provide documentation from a previous visit with a   health care professional related to the student's mental or   behavioral health; or                 (2)     be seen by the school counselor or a similarly   qualified district professional:                       (A)     with written consent from the student's   parent or guardian; or                       (B)     if applicable, in accordance with Section   32.004, Family Code.          (d)  A student whose absence is excused under Subsection (b),   (b-1), (b-2), (b-4), (b-5), (b-7), (b-8), (b-9), or (c) may not be   penalized for that absence and shall be counted as if the student   attended school for purposes of calculating the average daily   attendance of students in the school district. A student whose   absence is excused under Subsection (b), (b-1), (b-2), (b-4),   (b-5), (b-7), (b-8), (b-9), or (c) shall be allowed a reasonable   time to make up school work missed on those days. If the student   satisfactorily completes the school work, the day of absence shall   be counted as a day of compulsory attendance.          SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026   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, 2025.