The bill, H.B. No. 161, amends the Education Code to provide excused absences for students suffering from menstrual disorders. Specifically, it introduces a new provision, Subsection (b-9), which allows school districts to excuse a student from attending school for up to 10 days per school year due to symptoms related to menstrual disorders such as dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, menorrhagia, or polycystic ovary syndrome. To qualify for this excused absence, the student or their parent or guardian must provide documentation from a licensed physician confirming the menstrual disorder.

Additionally, the bill amends Subsection (d) to ensure that students whose absences are excused under the new provision, as well as other specified subsections, are not penalized for their absences and are counted as present for average daily attendance calculations. It also stipulates that these students must be given a reasonable amount of time to make up any missed schoolwork, and if completed satisfactorily, the absence will count as a day of compulsory attendance. The provisions of this act will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 25.087 (Education Code 25)