Committee adopts model-policy amendment for excused student mental-health days and refers bill

The House Education Committee adopted amendment A02390 to House Bill 1648, changing the bill into a model-policy framework requiring the Department of Education to develop and publish model policy and guidance for student mental-health days and to establish an advisory work group.

Kate described A02390 as a "gut-and-replace" amendment that makes the Department of Education responsible for posting model policies and assembling stakeholders to advise on implementation. Supporters said the amendment was the result of broad stakeholder work, including superintendents, school business officers and educator representatives.

Opponents argued existing Pennsylvania law already allows schools to grant excused absences and that a state-level work group and mandated change were unnecessary. Representative Gleim said "Without a dollar figure assigned to this, it's really difficult to vote for it," and Representative Anderson argued schools already have multiple excused absence categories.

The amendment passed on a roll call (ayes 14, nays 12) and the committee voted to refer the bill as amended. The committee record shows members voiced both policy and process concerns — praise for addressing mental health and caution about state-level mandates — and directed the Department of Education to develop model materials and convene stakeholders as specified in the amendment.