The proposed bill, known as the Student Wellness Act, aims to enhance student mental health support by allowing school districts in Ohio to count mental health days as excused absences. It introduces a new section, 3321.044, to the Revised Code, which empowers school district boards of education to adopt policies that define and regulate mental health days. The policy must include a clear definition of what constitutes a mental health day, a limit on the number of such days a student can take each school year, and a method for determining whether the student will receive or be referred to school health or support services.

This legislation reflects a growing recognition of the importance of mental health in the educational environment, providing students with the necessary flexibility to prioritize their well-being without the fear of academic penalties. By formalizing the process for excusing mental health days, the Student Wellness Act seeks to foster a supportive atmosphere for students facing mental health challenges.