Bill
HF 552
HF 552 changes compulsory education by tightening chronic absenteeism rules, adds or adjusts school engagement meetings, and establishes penalties for noncompliance.
HF 552 — Summary
Overview
- Bill number: HF 552
- Title: A bill for an act relating to compulsory education by modifying provisions related to chronic absenteeism and school engagement meetings, and providing penalties
- Sponsor: Jones (primary)
- Status: Subcommittee recommends passage
- Introduced: February 24, 2025
- Referred to: Education
- Subcommittee actions: Meeting held March 4, 2025; subcommittee members Henderson, Hayes, and Matson
- Key policy aim: Change how chronic absenteeism is managed under compulsory education laws, establish or modify requirements for school engagement meetings, and introduce penalties for noncompliance
What the bill seeks to do
- Modify the framework governing compulsory education, with a focus on chronic absenteeism and associated school engagement processes.
- Establish, expand, or clarify requirements for school engagement meetings (the forums in which schools engage with families/students regarding attendance and engagement).
- Create or extend penalties for failures to comply with compulsory attendance requirements.
Key provisions and provisions evident from introduced text
- Exemptions or special considerations related to attendance are identified in the introduced language, including:
- Individuals who have obtained a high school equivalency diploma
- Individuals excused for sufficient reason by any court of record or judge
- Attendance during religious services or religious instruction
- Individuals unable to attend due to legitimate medical reasons
- Individuals with an individualized education program (IEP) affecting attendance
- Individuals with a plan under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act affecting attendance
- Individuals attending an accredited private college preparatory school
- Individuals excused under Code section 299.22 (deaf or hard of hearing and blind children)
- Individuals exempted under Code section 299.24 (religious groups exempted from school standards)
Who is affected
- Students subject to compulsory education requirements
- Families and guardians responsible for meeting attendance obligations
- School districts and schools implementing attendance policies, chronic absenteeism measures, and school engagement meetings
- Entities serving students with special education needs (IEPs, 504 plans)
Procedural and timeline aspects
- Introduced February 24, 2025 and referred to the Education committee
- Subcommittee recommendation to pass on March 4, 2025
- Subcommittee members: Henderson, Hayes, Matson
- Next steps: If the full committee approves, the bill would advance to the full chamber for debate and potential floor vote; language and penalties would be refined in subsequent committee and floor action
Notes
- The introduced content suggests a broader set of exemptions related to attendance than might exist currently, reflecting ongoing efforts to balance compulsory attendance with legitimate reasons for absence.
- As with all introduced bills, final provisions may change during committee process.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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