HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2947        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Carol A. Doherty

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act expanding reasons for excused absences from school to include mental or behavioral health.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2947        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act expanding reasons for excused absences from school to include mental or behavioral health.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 1 of Chapter 76 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting in line 25, after the words “any period of six months”, the following:-

“, provided that a school shall excuse absences due to mental health symptoms in the same manner that absences are excused for physical health symptoms. Likewise, any requirement for documentation, either from a parent or health professional, shall be consistent for absence due to mental health symptoms as for physical health symptoms. When documentation is required of a healthcare professional, a school shall accept documentation from licensed mental health care professionals in the same manner as documentation from other health care professionals. A child who is absent due to mental or behavioral health shall be offered the opportunity to meet with a certified school counselor upon return to school, but shall not be required to do so.”