H.B. No. 192
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the purposes for which a student's absence from school
  must be excused.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 25.087, Education Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-3) 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; [or]
                     (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; or
                     (D)  taking part in a United States naturalization
  oath ceremony; or
               (2)  a temporary absence resulting from health care
  professionals if that student commences classes or returns to
  school on the same day of the appointment.
         (b-3)  A temporary absence for purposes of Subsection (b)(2)
  includes the temporary absence of a student diagnosed with autism
  spectrum disorder on the day of the student's appointment with a
  health care practitioner, as described by Section 1355.015(b),
  Insurance Code, to receive a generally recognized service for
  persons with autism spectrum disorder, including applied
  behavioral analysis, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.
         SECTION 2.  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, 2009.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 192 was passed by the House on May 7,
  2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 142, Nays 3, 1 present, not
  voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
  No. 192 on May 29, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 139, Nays 0, 1
  present, not voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 192 was passed by the Senate, with
  amendments, on May 25, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays
  0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor