SB 1128 Summary

• Authorizes parents to request and receive permission for student absences from school for appointments to receive therapy services or medical treatment for autism spectrum disorder provided by a licensed health care practitioner.

• Requires each district school board to adopt policies authorizing absences for both religious instruction or religious holidays and for treatment of autism spectrum disorder, including applied behavioral analysis, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.

• Expands the definition of excusable absences in state law to include written statements from licensed health care practitioners treating autism spectrum disorder, in addition to statements from licensed physicians.

• Allows students with ongoing autism spectrum disorder treatment to receive excuses for absences beyond the number of days normally permitted by the district school board.

• Takes effect July 1, 2017.