A new Kentucky law is targeting truancy in schools as chronic absenteeism rises among students.
House Bill 611 is now in effect, and that law requires the school district to report to the county attorney’s office if a student has 15 or more unexcused absences. For children in kindergarten through fifth grade, the parents will be held accountable.
For children in sixth grade through high school, students found to be truant will enter a diversion agreement. Usually these agreements are six months, but a new amendment can extend it to 12 months.
Students in a diversion program will only be permitted to have 4 absences, at which point, they will then be referred to the county attorney’s office.
The bill is considered by lawmakers a starting point to address the rising issue of student absences.
