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AN ACT
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relating to the purposes for which a student's absence from school |
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must be excused. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 25.087, Education Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-3) to read as |
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follows: |
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(b) A school district shall excuse a student from attending |
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school for: |
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(1) the following purposes, including travel for those |
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purposes: |
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(A) observing religious holy days; [or] |
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(B) attending a required court appearance; |
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(C) appearing at a governmental office to |
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complete paperwork required in connection with the student's |
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application for United States citizenship; or |
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(D) taking part in a United States naturalization |
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oath ceremony; or |
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(2) a temporary absence resulting from health care |
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professionals if that student commences classes or returns to |
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school on the same day of the appointment. |
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(b-3) A temporary absence for purposes of Subsection (b)(2) |
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includes the temporary absence of a student diagnosed with autism |
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spectrum disorder on the day of the student's appointment with a |
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health care practitioner, as described by Section 1355.015(b), |
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Insurance Code, to receive a generally recognized service for |
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persons with autism spectrum disorder, including applied |
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behavioral analysis, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 192 was passed by the House on May 7, |
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2009, by the following vote: Yeas 142, Nays 3, 1 present, not |
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voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. |
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No. 192 on May 29, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 139, Nays 0, 1 |
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present, not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 192 was passed by the Senate, with |
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amendments, on May 25, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays |
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0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: __________________ |
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Date |
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__________________ |
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Governor |