This bill allows school districts in New Jersey to classify absences due to a student's mental or behavioral health as excused. It grants authority to school districts to develop their own policies regarding attendance, specifically including the definition of excused absences related to mental or behavioral health issues.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Commissioner of Education, in collaboration with the Commissioner of Health, create guidelines for defining these excused absences. These guidelines will outline the necessary supporting documentation that may be required from students upon their return to school after such an absence, ensuring that the absence is recognized as excused. The act is set to take effect on the first day of the second full school year following its enactment, although anticipatory administrative actions may be taken beforehand for its implementation.