89R2507 ANG-F     By: Leo Wilson H.B. No. 5251       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   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.