This bill amends the Nebraska Revised Statutes to address juvenile truancy by introducing a new definition for "habitually truant from school." A child aged thirteen to under seventeen will be considered habitually truant if they have accrued twenty or more unexcused absences in a school year and have a documented loss of educational attainment. The bill also modifies juvenile court jurisdiction to include habitual truancy cases and provides a defense for juveniles with fewer than twenty unexcused absences under certain conditions, such as illness or lack of transportation.

Additionally, the bill requires school districts to develop and annually review attendance policies in collaboration with county attorneys, focusing on addressing excessive absences and providing necessary services before reaching the twenty-day threshold. It mandates that schools notify families in writing before referring a child to the county attorney for excessive absences and clarifies that absences due to illness cannot be the basis for such referrals. The legislation emphasizes the importance of communication among school officials, families, and community resources to effectively tackle barriers to attendance, ultimately aiming to enhance support systems for students and reduce truancy through proactive measures.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 43-245, 43-247, 43-276, 79-206, 79-209