The bill, H.B. No. 5251, amends Section 25.087(b) of the Education Code to allow for excused absences from public school for students attending mental health care appointments. The new legal language specifies that school districts must excuse a student for temporary absences resulting from appointments with health care professionals, explicitly including mental health professionals, as long as the student returns to school on the same day of the appointment. This addition aims to support students' mental health needs by ensuring they can attend necessary appointments without penalty.

The bill will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year and will be enacted immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote from all elected members in both houses. If not, the bill will take effect on September 1, 2025. This legislative change reflects a growing recognition of the importance of mental health care for students and the need for educational policies that accommodate such needs.

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