The Pilot Truancy Reduction Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 aims to address high truancy rates in secondary educational institutions in the District of Columbia. The bill mandates that by August 12, 2024, the Mayor must identify five secondary schools with truancy rates exceeding 50% during the 2023-2024 school year to participate in a truancy pilot program. These schools are required to refer students aged 14 to 17 to the Department of Human Services (DHS) after they accumulate 15 unexcused absences. The bill also outlines the responsibilities of DHS to publish reports detailing the interventions provided, reasons for absences, and an analysis of attendance and academic performance outcomes.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions that exempt participating educational institutions from certain attendance requirements for the specified age group. The DHS is tasked with publishing a preliminary report by March 31, 2025, and a final report by August 15, 2025, which will include data on the effectiveness of the truancy interventions and comparisons of student outcomes before and after referrals to DHS. This initiative is designed to improve attendance and academic performance among students facing challenges that contribute to truancy.