PRINTER'S NO. 1037
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
844
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY KANE, SCHWANK, HUGHES, FONTANA, MUTH, COSTA,
YUDICHAK, TARTAGLIONE, COMITTA, CAPPELLETTI AND BREWSTER,
AUGUST 27, 2021
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, AUGUST 27, 2021
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in pupils and attendance, further
providing for excuses from attending school.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1329 of the act of March 10, 1949
(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
amended by adding a subsection to read:
Section 1329. Excuses from Attending School.--* * *
(f) In addition to the excuses from attending school under
this section, a school district shall excuse a student from
school attendance for mental health days each school year. The
number of excuses for mental health days under this subsection
shall be equal to the number of excuses for nonattendance
authorized by the school district for a physical reason under
subsection (a) each school year. As used in this subsection, the
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term "mental health day" means a day to allow a student to
attain care, rest or treatment to address any of the following
conditions or behaviors:
(1) Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
(2) Anxiety.
(3) Obsessive compulsive disorder.
(4) Learning and developmental disabilities.
(5) Autism.
(6) Substance use disorder.
(7) Self-harm.
(8) Any other conditions or behaviors as recognized by a
physician or mental health professional.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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