Senate Bill 1705 amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated to enhance regulations regarding student attendance, particularly focusing on home-schooled students and their previous enrollment in local education agencies (LEAs). The bill introduces new provisions that require the director of schools to report absences of home-schooled students who were previously enrolled in an LEA and received tier two or tier three interventions for truancy. If such a student accumulates five or more unexcused absences, the juvenile court may impose a fine or community service on the parent or guardian, based on the judge's discretion. Additionally, the bill mandates that any referral to juvenile court must include a certification from the director of schools confirming the application of truancy interventions while the student was enrolled in the LEA.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that when a student transfers schools during the academic year, their unexcused absences from the previous school must be counted towards their total at the new school. This provision aims to ensure continuity in tracking attendance issues across different educational settings. The amendments also clarify that the new attendance regulations will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-6-3001(c)(1)(B)(i), 49-6-3001, 49-6-3009, 49-6-3009(i), 49-6-3007