PA HB1648

Public, nonpublic, and private schools must adopt policies by the 2026-2027 school year to provide excused absences for mental health days when a student's well-being is at risk due to mental or physical fatigue

Students may use up to two consecutive days for a mental health day, but generally cannot take three or more mental health days in a single week or in two or more consecutive weeks

The Pennsylvania Department of Education must develop and publish implementation guidelines and a model policy within 90 days of the act's effective date, including evidence-based best practices for connecting students to mental health support

Mental health days cover both certified conditions (diagnosed by physicians, including ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism, eating disorders) and uncertified conditions (undiagnosed stress, grief, trauma from events like family death, bullying, or academic pressure)

Schools must designate an employee to contact students who use two or more mental health days and connect them to mental health support services