Bill makes mental health day a valid excuse for school absence

(KUTV) — A new Utah bill would allow students to take a "mental health" absence from school without it negatively affecting their attendance record.

House Bill 81, proposed by Rep. Mike Winder, seeks to add "mental or behavioral" health to the list of valid excused absences for students.

Currently, students can miss class because of a mental illness, but it is considered an unexcused absence because it's not on the list of permissible absences.

An appointment with a therapist or counselor would not be required to list a "mental health" absence as a valid reason to miss school.

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Utah's 2021 general legislative session is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Jan. 19.