CA SB849

Adds mental or behavioral health as a new category of excused absence under Education Code Section 48205, allowing pupils to miss school for benefits to their mental or behavioral health

Clarifies that the new excused absence provision is separate from existing categories such as illness, medical appointments, family emergencies, religious observances, and military family time

Requires pupils absent under this section to be allowed to complete missed assignments and tests within a reasonable period and receive full credit upon satisfactory completion

Specifies that absences for mental or behavioral health are counted in computing average daily attendance but do not generate state apportionment payments

Establishes that if the Commission on State Mandates determines this bill creates state-mandated costs for local agencies and school districts, reimbursement shall be made under existing statutory procedures