CA SB14

Allows pupils to be excused from school for absences related to their mental or behavioral health, treating such absences the same as illness-related absences under Education Code Section 48205.

Requires the State Board of Education to update illness verification regulations to account for mental and behavioral health absences.

Requires the State Department of Education to identify and recommend evidence-based and evidence-informed training programs addressing youth behavioral health for schools serving grades 7-12 by January 1, 2023.

Training programs must cover recognizing signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use disorders, providing referrals to services, maintaining student privacy, deescalating crisis situations, and include instruction by certified trainers.

Took effect immediately upon the Governor's approval on October 8, 2021, as an urgency statute due to COVID-19's impact on children's mental health.