The bill H.930 amends 16 V.S.A. chapter 25 to address chronic absenteeism and truancy in Vermont's education system by introducing new definitions for "chronic absenteeism" and "truancy." Chronic absenteeism is defined as a student being absent for 10% or more of attendance days in a school year, while truancy refers to 20 or more unexcused absences. The bill mandates the Agency of Education to create a model policy to tackle these issues, which must be reviewed annually and include documentation templates for schools. It also shifts the responsibility for school attendance from "a person having control" of a child to "the parent or guardian," outlines excusable absence circumstances, and requires school districts to adopt policies that align with the model policy.

Additionally, the bill S.A. 1124 requires the Agency of Education to develop and publish a model policy on chronic absenteeism by July 1, 2027, with school boards and independent school governing bodies expected to implement it by July 1, 2028. It repeals existing penalties related to absenteeism in 16 V.S.A. 1076, streamlining regulations. Furthermore, by December 1, 2026, the Agency of Education must report to the House and Senate Committees on Education with recommendations for updating Vermont's home study program law to improve oversight and compliance with attendance requirements. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 16-25, 16-1162, 16-1076