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Bill

SB 1387

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in pupils and attendance, further providing for attendance policy at charter, regional charter and cyber charter schools, for excuses from attending school, for procedure when child is truant, for procedure by school when child habitually truant and for penalties for violating compulsory school attendance requirements.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dawn Keefer

SB 1387 standardizes and tightens attendance policies and enforcement for charter, regional charter, and cyber charter schools, aligning them with state requirements and clarifying

Referred to Education
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1387

Summary of SB 1387 (Session 2025-2026) — Pennsylvania

Purpose and intent

SB 1387 amends the Public School Code of 1949 to update and clarify attendance-related requirements for charter schools, regional charter schools, and cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania. The bill focuses on attendance policy, excuses from attendance, procedures for addressing truancy, procedures when a child is habitually truant, and penalties for violating compulsory school attendance requirements. The overarching goal is to provide a consistent framework for attendance across traditional and charter/cyber charter settings and to strengthen accountability for attendance compliance.

Key provisions and changes

  • Attendance policy at charter, regional charter, and cyber charter schools

    • Establishes or updates requirements for how these schools develop, implement, and enforce attendance policies.
    • Aligns charter school attendance expectations with state standards and enforcement mechanisms used in traditional public schools.

  • Excuses from attending school

    • Clarifies what constitutes a valid excuse for absence at charter and cyber charter schools.
    • Defines processes for recording, verifying, and appealing excused absences.

  • Procedure when a child is truant

    • Sets out steps for identifying truancy, notifying guardians, and documenting truancy incidents.
    • May specify timelines and reporting requirements to school authorities and, in some cases, to truancy reduction programs or compliance agencies.

  • Procedure by school when child habitually truant

    • Addresses persistent or habitual truancy (the threshold and actions taken when a student is repeatedly absent).
    • Could include intervention plans, referral to support services, and coordination with families and community resources.
    • May require particular timelines for assessment, conferencing, and enforcement actions.

  • Penalties for violating compulsory attendance requirements

    • Details penalties or enforcement actions for schools or guardians who fail to meet compulsory attendance obligations.
    • May include administrative remedies, fines, or other consequences consistent with existing compulsory attendance provisions.

Who would be affected

  • Charter schools, regional charter schools, and cyber charter schools
    • Must align attendance policies and enforcement practices with the new or clarified standards in SB 1387.
  • Students and families
    • Subject to revised truancy procedures, excuses, and habitual truancy interventions.
  • School administrators and staff
    • Responsible for implementing updated attendance policies, documenting absences, and coordinating with families and enforcement mechanisms.
  • Education agencies and authorities
    • May have enhanced reporting, monitoring, and enforcement duties related to attendance compliance.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referrals
    • The bill has been referred to the Education committee (as of 2026-06-22), indicating it is under consideration and could undergo amendments.
  • Effective date
    • The summary does not specify an effective date; typical enactments include a future effective date after enactment or a phased implementation for schools to adjust policies. The bill outline would provide the exact date if enacted.
  • Implementation and oversight
    • If enacted, implementation would likely involve guidance or regulations from the state Department of Education to ensure uniform application across charter networks and traditional districts.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Aims to standardize attendance practices across charter and cyber charter schools, reducing ambiguity for families and schools.
  • Could increase accountability for habitual truancy and clarify the consequences for non-compliance.
  • May necessitate training and resource adjustments for charter school administrators to align with any new processes for excuses, truancy, and reporting.
  • The balance between parental rights and state attendance enforcement may be a point of focus in debates or subsequent amendments.

If you’d like, I can pull in any available fiscal notes, implementation guidance, or amendments once they’re publicly posted to provide a more detailed, up-to-date view.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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