1. (a) The Department and each county board shall adopt an attendance policy for public school students that:

   1. (1) Treats an absence due to a student's behavioral health needs the same as an absence due to illness or another somatic health need; and
   2. (2) If the policy requires a note from a health care provider to excuse an absence, authorizes an appropriate health care provider licensed or certified under the Health Occupations Article to provide a note to excuse the absence.
2. (b) If a student or the student's parent or guardian notifies a public school that the student's absence was due to a behavioral health need, the school shall provide information to the student or the student's parent or guardian about school or community behavioral health resources that are available to the student.
3. (c) A county board may adopt policies and procedures to carry out the requirements of this section.

Added by Acts 2022, c. 554, § 1, eff. July 1, 2022.