The proposed 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. The bill emphasizes that truancy petitions should only be filed if the parent or child fails to comply with the attendance agreement or if no agreement is reached. Key amendments include new legal language that outlines the responsibilities of school districts, such as notifying parents after one unexcused absence and scheduling conferences after three. It also establishes the role of community engagement boards in creating attendance agreements and identifying barriers to school attendance.

Additionally, the bill modifies the conditions under which a school district must file a petition with the juvenile court, specifying that a petition must be filed after the child's 15th unexcused absence and allowing non-attorney school district employees to file these petitions. It introduces penalties for parents of truant children, including fines for unexcused absences, while providing defenses for parents who demonstrate reasonable efforts to ensure attendance. The bill also mandates the collection and reporting of student-level truancy data to assess the effectiveness of interventions and extends truancy regulations to charter schools and state-tribal education compact schools. Overall, the legislation aims to foster collaboration between families, schools, and community resources to improve student attendance while reducing reliance on legal proceedings.

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