Texas bills aim to help students with debilitating menstrual pain

The Texas House and Senate are considering excused absences for students who suffer from menstrual disorders, but poor and uninsured students may not receive the level of medical care necessary to qualify. Under the proposals, the Texas Education Code would require schools to grant excused absences to students suffering from menstrual-related health conditions, with a doctor’s note, and ensure they receive all necessary support without academic penalties. 

Background

Menstrual disorders encompass a wide range of medical conditions that disrupt an individual’s menstrual cycle. These disorders can lead to both physical and emotional distress. Common menstrual disorders include: 

 Dysmenorrhea: Severe menstrual cramping
 Endometriosis: A condition where tissue grows outside the uterus, typically causing severe cramping
 Menorrhagia: Heavy menstrual bleeding

 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A hormonal disorder that can cause a range of symptoms, typically irregular periods and other health complications 

Menstrual disorders can result in extreme cramping, abdominal bleeding, headaches, bloating and more. Studies have found that symptoms of menstrual disorders are associated with decreased academic performance. Adolescents with menstrual disorders might have trouble with attendance, concentrating on tasks and participating in classroom activities. Individuals who endure heavy or prolonged bleeding on average miss 1-7 days of school a year, and many of the studies found that social interactions are also negatively impacted, leading to increased stress and a lower quality of life. “I did miss school for symptoms, often my cramps would be so bad I would throw up. Everything hurt like it would hurt to move anywhere, it was crazy,” said Hayden, a recent high school graduate with PCOS, she asked to only wanted to use her first name for privacy reasons. 

Legislation

House Bill 161, filed on Nov. 12, 2024, by Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, and its companion bill, Senate Bill 774, introduced by Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, proposes amendments to Section 25.087 of the Texas Education Code. The key provisions include: 

Excused absences: Texas school districts would be required to excuse up to 10 days of absences per academic year for students with diagnosed menstrual disorders. 
Medical documentation: To qualify for these excused absences, students must provide a valid doctor’s note confirming their condition and necessity. 
Implementation timeline: If passed, the legislation would take effect starting from the 2025-2026 school year. 

House Bill 161:

Senate Bill 774:

Socioeconomic barriers  

While the bills aim to help students manage their health without academic repercussions,  the legislation doesn’t address the socioeconomic disparities that hinder access to the medical care necessary for such diagnoses.​

At the end of last year, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that 4.4 million children in the U.S. were uninsured in 2023, and since April 2023, around 5.5 million children have been unenrolled from Medicaid. Texas accounts for 23% of uninsured children in the U.S.

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