The School Code has been amended to grant students the right to take up to five excused mental health days.  The days can be taken beginning in January 2022.  There is no doctor excuse or note required and the student has to be allowed to make up any work that was missed if a mental health day is taken.  The amendment further provides that after the second mental health day used, the student may be referred to the appropriate school support personnel.

NOTE:  The School Code already provides that a valid cause for absence from school is illness, which includes the mental or behavioral health of the student.   Under the School Code, a student’s absence is excused if due to circumstances which cause reasonable concern to the parent for the mental, emotional, or physical health or safety of the student.  105 ILCS 5/26-2a

The full text of Public Act 102-0321 is available at:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=102-0321

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