The bill amends the Attendance for Success Act to enhance enforcement provisions aimed at reducing excessive absenteeism in schools. It mandates that local school boards and governing bodies of charter and private schools report excessively absent students to the juvenile probation services office after written notice of absenteeism. The juvenile probation services office is then required to investigate whether the student is a neglected child or in need of family services due to their absenteeism. Additionally, the bill stipulates that the local superintendent or head administrator must provide documentation of the school's interventions and the responses from the student and parent within ten school days of identifying the student as excessively absent.

Furthermore, the bill introduces penalties for parents who allow their excessively absent children to continue missing school after a report has been made. It establishes that such actions constitute a violation of the Attendance for Success Act, leading to potential prosecution by the local district attorney. Parents found guilty of this violation may face fines ranging from $50 to $100 for a first offense, and up to $500 or imprisonment for subsequent offenses. The bill aims to hold parents accountable and encourage better attendance among students.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 22-12A-12