SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WREX) � Kids in Illinois will soon be able to take up to five excused mental health days.
Governor JB Pritzker signed into law last month.
The new law will allow students to take a mental health day without being required to provide their school with a doctor’s note. Students will also be able to make up any school work that was missed on their day off.
SB1577 will also require school counselors to reach out to the child’s family following the second mental health day that’s used. The student may also be referred to get professional help, according to the new law.
Illinois is not the first state to pass a law similar to this. Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Virginia have all passed similar bills over the past two years allowing students to miss school due to behavioral or mental health reasons, according to .
Senate Bill 1577 takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.
