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HB 2847

Relating to truancy and parental contribution to nonattendance of school; increasing a criminal penalty.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Harold Dutton

HB 2847 increases criminal penalties for parents whose children are habitually absent from school, strengthening compulsory education enforcement but risking disproportionate impact on low-income families.

Referred to s/c on Juvenile Justice by Speaker
#criminalrecords(s0008) #courts--general(i0160) #education--primary&secondary--admission&attendance(i0227) #family--juveniledelinquency(i0360) #minors--juvenilejustice(i0534) #truancy(s0796)
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Bill Summary · HB 2847

Legislative bill overview

HB 2847 modifies Texas law regarding truancy and parental responsibility for student school nonattendance. The bill increases criminal penalties for parents or guardians whose children are habitually absent from school, treating parental contribution to truancy as a more serious offense.

Why is this important

Truancy has documented links to academic failure, higher dropout rates, and juvenile delinquency. By increasing criminal penalties for parents, the bill aims to strengthen enforcement of compulsory education laws and shift accountability upstream to guardians. However, this approach directly impacts family law enforcement and raises questions about how penalties affect lower-income households already struggling with attendance barriers.

Potential points of contention

  • Socioeconomic disparities: Increased criminal penalties may disproportionately affect low-income families facing systemic barriers (transportation, childcare, health issues) rather than willful neglect
  • Criminalization vs. support: Critics argue penalizing parents does not address underlying causes of truancy and may worsen family circumstances; supporters contend it creates necessary accountability
  • Definition of parental contribution: The bill's language regarding what constitutes actionable parental "contribution" to nonattendance could be ambiguous, affecting enforcement consistency and due process protections

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

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