The bill focuses on reducing chronic absenteeism in Vermont schools by promoting preventative and restorative strategies instead of punitive measures. It establishes that chronic absenteeism is defined as a student being absent for 10% or more of school days in a year, while truancy is defined as accumulating 20 or more unexcused absences. The legislation emphasizes the importance of written attendance support plans, family outreach, and various academic and community-based supports. It also clarifies that truancy enforcement should only occur after reasonable school-based interventions have been attempted. The Agency of Education is tasked with developing a model policy to prevent chronic absenteeism and truancy, which must be adopted by school districts.

Additionally, the bill amends 16 V.S.A. § 1162 to allow schools to provide alternative education options for students suspended for three or more days or expelled, ensuring compliance with existing legal requirements. It mandates the Agency of Education to submit a written update on the model policy by March 15, 2027, with the final policy due by July 1, 2027, and requires school boards to implement their policies by July 1, 2028. The bill also repeals 16 V.S.A. § 1076, which relates to penalties, and calls for recommendations to update Vermont's home study program law by December 1, 2026. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 16-25, 16-1162, 16-1076
As Passed By the House -- Official: 16-25, 16-1162, 16-1076
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 16-25, 16-1162, 16-1076
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 16-25, 16-1162, 16-1076
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 16-25, 16-1162, 16-1076
As Enacted: 16-25, 16-1162, 16-1076