(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Illinois students will be able to take a limited number of so-called mental health days allowing them to stay home from school, under a law that takes effect next year.
Senate Bill 1577 was approved by state lawmakers this spring and signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker in August but has gotten media attention more recently.
"Having this now for all students across the state will be really beneficial, especially with what's going on with COVID," co-sponsoring Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, told Shaw Media. “Many students feel stressed, and have developed anxiety and depression because they're not able to see teachers and friends, and may have lower grades due to remote learning. This will allow them to get the help they need."
Under the measure, students can take up to five mental or behavorial health days per school year that do not require a doctor’s authorization. The student must be allowed to make up school work they missed.
Hernandez tells WBBM Newsradio it will be the parent or guardian of a student who contacts the school -- not the minor.
Upon the student's second mental-health day, a school counsellor or other professional will reach out to the family to offer help, the lawmaker said.
The Illinois State Board of Education will create a policy for school districts to follow, she said. Future amendments to the law are possible, Hernandez added.
Illinois joins a growing number of states that are permitting children to be absent from school for mental or behavioral health reasons, the New York Times reports.
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