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HB 1471

Georgia Student Mental Health Days Act; enact

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Viola Davis and 2 co-sponsors

Georgia bill allows public school students excused mental health days without medical documentation to address rising student mental wellness needs.

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Bill Summary · HB 1471

Legislative bill overview

HB 1471, the Georgia Student Mental Health Days Act, would authorize Georgia public school students to take mental health days as excused absences without requiring a doctor's note or documentation. The bill recognizes mental health needs similar to physical illness and aims to reduce stigma around mental wellness by allowing students to self-identify when they need time off for mental health reasons.

Why is this important

Mental health challenges among school-age children have increased significantly, with rising rates of anxiety, depression, and stress-related issues. Allowing accessible mental health days could encourage students to seek support proactively rather than suffering in silence, potentially improving attendance rates, academic performance, and long-term mental health outcomes. This policy recognizes that mental wellness is integral to student success and overall school safety.

Potential points of contention

  • Abuse concerns: Critics may worry that self-identified mental health days without documentation could be misused for truancy or that students might claim mental health needs without genuine crises, potentially reducing accountability.
  • Implementation challenges: Schools would need clear guidelines on frequency limits, documentation processes, and how to balance student autonomy with oversight—unclear policies could create inconsistent application across districts.
  • Resource adequacy: The bill may not address whether schools have sufficient counselors, mental health professionals, or support services to meaningfully help students on these days, potentially creating a gap between permission and actual assistance.

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

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