Bill Caption

Relating to the number of student absences that constitute a failure to attend school.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. There may be some costs to local school districts to modify locally-developed or vendor student information systems (SISs) to incorporate the changes in absences. These costs would vary from school district to school district depending on the SIS being used and the amount of modification required.

Bill Analysis

Summary: HB 2872 would minimize the number of days that a student can be absent, leading to truancy. Also, the legislation would require a school district to file a complaint against the student or parent related to truancy in a school that does not operate on a year-round basis on January 15th following the fall semester or June 15th following the spring semester rather than 10 days after the 10th absence. For a school that operates on a year-round basis, the school district needs to file the complaint 10 school days after the 10th absence.

Analysis: HB 2872 would limit parental responsibility by providing school districts with more authority to manage student attendance. Furthermore, this expansion of government would lead to more truancy cases in court with fewer days allotted for an absence. We oppose HB 2872.