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HD 2947

An Act expanding reasons for excused absences from school to include mental or behavioral health

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Carol Doherty and 1 co-sponsor

Massachusetts bill adds mental or behavioral health as formal reason for student excused absences, acknowledging mental wellness parity with physical illness.

Senate concurred
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Bill Summary · HD 2947

Legislative bill overview

HD 2947 expands the list of acceptable reasons for student excused absences in Massachusetts to explicitly include mental or behavioral health needs. Previously, such absences may have fallen under vague categories or required medical documentation. This bill formally recognizes mental and behavioral health as legitimate grounds for excused absence without specifying additional procedural requirements.

Why is this important

Mental health challenges among students are significant and widely documented, yet many schools treat mental health absences differently than physical illness. This bill acknowledges that mental health is as important as physical health for educational engagement and student wellbeing. Formalizing this recognition could reduce stigma, improve student access to care, and provide clearer guidance to schools on absence policies.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition and verification standards: The bill doesn't specify how schools should verify mental/behavioral health absences, potentially creating inconsistent implementation across districts or opportunities for misuse
  • Liability and safety concerns: Schools may worry about liability if they excuse absences for mental health reasons without requiring professional documentation or assessment
  • Implementation clarity: Absence policies require administrative details—who decides if an absence qualifies, what documentation is needed, frequency limits—which appear absent from this bill's language

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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