ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fourth Legislature Second Regular Session
	Senate: ED DP 9-0-0-0 | 3^rd Read 26-0-4-0 House: ED DP 11-0-0-2

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SB1444: schools; excused absences; mental health

Sponsor:  Senator Bowie, LD 18

Caucus & COW

Overview

Requires the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to identify an absence due to the mental or behavioral health of a student as an excused absence.

History

Statute requires school district governing boards and charter school governing bodies to adopt policies that allow students to be excused for religious purposes (A.R.S. § 15-806). Additionally, parents or custodians of public school students are required to authorize any school absence of the student in advance or at the time of absence (A.R.S. § 15-807).

As defined by ADE guidelines, an excused absence includes an absence due to illness, doctor appointment, bereavement, family emergencies and out-of-school suspensions. In order to be excused, these absences must be authorized by a parent if the child is under 16 years of age. ADE guidelines delegate the decision of whether an absence due to family vacation is an excused absence to school districts and charter schools.

Provisions

1. Requires ADE to identify an absence due to the mental or behavioral health of a student as an excused absence. (Sec. 1)

2. Allows ADE to adopt guidelines and rules to determine what constitutes an excused absence due to a student's mental or behavioral health. (Sec. 1)

3. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)

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7.                   SB 1444

8. Initials CH/TR       Page 0 Caucus & COW

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