The bill, S.B. No. 774, amends Section 25.087 of the Education Code to provide excused absences for students suffering from menstrual disorders. Specifically, it introduces a new subsection (b-9) that 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 excused under this new provision, along with other existing subsections, are not penalized for their absences and are counted as present for average daily attendance calculations. They will also be granted reasonable time to make up any missed schoolwork, which, if satisfactorily completed, will count as a day of compulsory attendance. The provisions of this act will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, and it will become effective immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

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