Require Minnesota schools to give students at least one mental health excused day per semester.

 

The purpose of this bill is to support student well-being by ensuring all Minnesota students can take time off for

mental health needs without academic penalty.

 

Many Minnesota students experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, which impact attendance, performance,

and overall wellness. Currently, most absence policies only excuse physical illness, leaving students without support

when experiencing mental-health struggles. States such as Oregon, Illinois, and Washington already offer mental-health

excused days and have seen positive impacts on student well-being. Allowing one excused mental health day per semester

is a simple, low-cost way to help students rest, seek support, and prevent more serious issues from developing.

 

Mental health excused day: an absence taken for emotional or mental-wellness reasons that is excused without requiring a

doctor’s note.

Semester: half of a standard academic school year as defined by each Minnesota school district.

 

This bill requires no additional funding. Schools can implement the policy using their existing attendance tracking

systems.

 

School districts failing to provide students with one mental health excused day per semester will be required to revise

their attendance policies immediately upon notice. The Minnesota Department of Education will oversee compliance through

regular policy reviews.

 

The succeeding August 1st following the passage of this bill.