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SB 774

Relating to excused absences from public school for students with a menstrual disorder.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Sarah Eckhardt

Bill allows Texas students with diagnosed menstrual disorders to receive excused absences for school days when their condition prevents attendance, pending medical documentation.

Referred to Education K-16
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Bill Summary · SB 774

Legislative bill overview

SB 774 would allow Texas public school students with diagnosed menstrual disorders to receive excused absences when their condition necessitates missing school. The bill establishes a framework for documentation and provides students with a medical accommodation similar to other health-based absence policies already in place for chronic conditions.

Why is this important

Menstrual disorders like dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, and PCOS can cause severe pain and other symptoms that make attendance physically difficult for some students. Currently, these absences typically count as unexcused, potentially affecting attendance records, grades, and academic standing despite legitimate medical reasons. This bill addresses a gap in accommodation policies for a condition that affects a significant portion of the student population.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation burden: Schools would need to establish verification procedures, potentially requiring medical documentation that not all families can easily obtain, raising equity concerns
  • Defining severity thresholds: Determining what qualifies as a menstrual "disorder" versus typical menstrual symptoms could prove administratively complex and subject to inconsistent interpretation
  • Privacy concerns: Requiring students to disclose menstrual health information to school staff raises student privacy and dignity considerations, and could discourage participation due to stigma

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

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