AN ACT EXCLUDING EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR STUDENT OBSERVANCE OF RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS FROM TRUANCY DETERMINATIONS.

HB 7015 amends Connecticut law to exclude absences for observing religious holidays from truancy counts. It allows students in grades K-12 to have one excused absence per school year for religious observance, with school boards able to grant additional days at their discretion. Parents and students must obtain and complete school assignments before and after the absence. This change directly affects students, parents, and school districts by removing religious holiday absences from the unexcused absence thresholds that trigger truancy interventions under Section 10-198a. The policy takes effect July 1, 2025.