SF 2067 (LSB 5578XS (2) 88)

SENATE FILE 2067

BY  MATHIS

A BILL FOR

An Act providing for excused absences from school for student mental health needs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 299.1, Code 2020, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  3.  The board of directors of a public school district and the governing body of an accredited nonpublic school shall adopt a policy permitting a student to take an excused absence from school for reasons pertaining to the student’s mental health needs. The policy shall allow at least three such absences per school year. The policy shall not require that a student provide documentation concerning the student’s mental health needs in order to take such an absence. The policy shall include a protocol for referring a student taking such an absence to a school counselor, school nurse, or other appropriate personnel, services, or resources available through the school district or nonpublic school or through the community.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill requires school boards and authorities in charge of accredited nonpublic schools to adopt a policy permitting a student to take an excused absence from school for reasons pertaining to the student’s mental health needs. The policy shall allow at least three such absences per school year and shall not require that a student provide documentation concerning the student’s mental health needs in order to take such an absence. The policy shall include a protocol for referring a student taking such an absence to a school counselor, school nurse, or other appropriate personnel, services, or resources available through the school district or nonpublic school or through the community.