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Bill

HB 502

School Attendance Modifications

2026 General Session Introduced by Mike McKell and 1 co-sponsor

HB 502 modifies Utah school attendance requirements through unspecified provisions; details pending committee review and public discussion.

House/ to Governor
#departmentofhealthandhumanservices #divisionofchildandfamilyservices #education #healthandhumanservices #highereducation #k-12education #lawenforcementandcriminaljustice #localeducationagencies(leas) #revenueandtaxation #scholarshipsandfinancialaid #standardsandcurriculum #stateboardofeducation #statetaxcommission #studenthealthandsafety #utahboardofhighereducation
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Bill Summary · HB 502

Legislative bill overview

HB 502 modifies Utah's school attendance requirements, though the specific provisions are not yet publicly available as the bill was only recently introduced and distributed on February 5, 2026. The bill is in its earliest legislative stage, having just completed first reading in the House. Additional details about the specific attendance modifications will emerge as the bill moves through the legislative process and committee review.

Why is this important

School attendance policies directly affect student achievement, truancy rates, and compulsory education enforcement across the state. Changes to attendance requirements can have broad implications for students, families, educators, and school district operations, potentially affecting everything from graduation rates to state education funding formulas that may be tied to attendance metrics.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition and flexibility of excused absences: Any modification to attendance rules likely involves debates over what constitutes valid reasons for absence (illness, family circumstances, religious observance, etc.)
  • Enforcement mechanisms and consequences: Questions about penalties for non-compliance, whether directed at students or parents, and how punitive versus supportive approaches should be balanced
  • Impact on vulnerable populations: Concerns about how changes affect students with disabilities, chronic illnesses, mental health challenges, or those experiencing homelessness

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

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