Relating to excused absences from public school for certain students to attend mental health care appointments, the official text

S.B. No. 207

AN ACT

relating to excused absences from public school for certain

students to attend mental health care appointments.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 25.087(b), Education Code, is amended to

read as follows:

(b) A school district shall excuse a student from attending

school for:

(1) the following purposes, including travel for those

purposes:

(A) observing religious holy days;

(B) attending a required court appearance;

(C) appearing at a governmental office to

complete paperwork required in connection with the student's

application for United States citizenship;

(D) taking part in a United States naturalization

oath ceremony;

(E) serving as an election clerk; or

(F) if the student is in the conservatorship of

the Department of Family and Protective Services, participating, as

determined and documented by the department, in an activity:

(i) ordered by a court under Chapter 262 or

263, Family Code, provided that it is not practicable to schedule

the participation outside of school hours; or

(ii) required under a service plan under

Subchapter B, Chapter 263, Family Code;

(2) a temporary absence resulting from an appointment

with health care professionals, including mental health

professionals, for the student or the student's child if the

student commences classes or returns to school on the same day of

the appointment; or

(3) an absence resulting from a serious or

life-threatening illness or related treatment that makes the

student's attendance infeasible, if the student or the student's

parent or guardian provides a certification from a physician

licensed to practice medicine in this state specifying the

student's illness and the anticipated period of the student's

absence relating to the illness or related treatment.

SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026

school year.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

______________________________
______________________________

President of the Senate
Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 207 passed the Senate on

April 1, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________

Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 207 passed the House on

May 20, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, two

present not voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

______________________________

Date

______________________________

Governor