The bill seeks to reform the approach to unexcused student absences by removing the requirement for school districts to file truancy petitions before a child's fifth unexcused absence. Instead, it mandates that school districts must enter into an attendance agreement with the parent or child (if aged eight or older) either directly or through a community engagement board. Truancy petitions will only be filed if the attendance agreement is not complied with or if no agreement is reached. The bill also emphasizes the importance of early intervention programs and outlines specific steps to be taken after a child's fifth unexcused absence, including the establishment of an attendance agreement and the involvement of community engagement boards to identify barriers to attendance.

Additionally, the bill introduces penalties for parents who violate school attendance provisions, allowing fines of up to twenty-five dollars for each day of unexcused absence, with half of the fine going to the child's school district. It also provides defenses against such charges and allows for community restitution in lieu of fines. The legislation mandates the collection and reporting of disaggregated truancy data by school districts and the office of the superintendent of public instruction to identify disparities in truancy rates. Furthermore, it extends existing truancy laws to charter schools and state-tribal education compact schools, ensuring consistent standards across various educational institutions. Overall, the bill aims to enhance collaboration among families, schools, and community resources to improve student attendance and reduce truancy.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 28A.225.030, 28A.225.015, 28A.225.025, 28A.225.151, 7.21.080, 36.18.020, 4.08.050
Engrossed Bill: 28A.225.0261, 28A.225.015, 28A.225.020, 28A.225.025, 28A.225.030, 28A.225.035, 28A.225.090, 2.56.140, 28A.225.900