EXCESSIVELY ABSENT STUDENTS & PENALTIES

HB 432 would require schools to report students with persistent unexcused absences to juvenile probation after interventions, potentially triggering neglect investigations. It would make it a crime for parents to allow continued school absences, with penalties including $50-$100 fines for a first offense or up to six months in jail for repeat offenses. The bill also allows suspending a student’s driving privileges for up to 90 days on a first offense and up to one year for subsequent offenses. This legislation directly affects parents of chronically absent students and school districts implementing attendance enforcement.