Texas SB52 allows excused absences for mental or behavioral health treatment.

SB52 amends the Education Code to allow public school students to be excused from attendance for up to five days per school year for mental or behavioral health treatment, with parental consent or in accordance with Family Code. Absences under this provision are not penalized and are counted as attendance for calculating average daily attendance. The bill also allows school boards to excuse absences without documentation from a health care professional, requiring only documentation from a previous visit. The changes apply starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Texas SB52 allows excused absences for mental or behavioral health treatment.

SB52 amends the Education Code to allow public school students to be excused from attendance for up to five days per school year for mental or behavioral health treatment, with parental consent or in accordance with Family Code. Absences under this provision are not penalized and are counted as attendance for calculating average daily attendance. The bill also allows school boards to excuse absences without documentation from a health care professional, requiring only documentation from a previous visit. The changes apply starting with the 2025-2026 school year.