Section 7-301.3 - Attendance policy(a) The Department and each county board shall adopt an attendance policy for public school students that: (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) 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.(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.(c) A county board may adopt policies and procedures to carry out the requirements of this section.Added by 2022 Md. Laws, Ch. 554, Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2022.