Bill > HB792

This bill amends Mississippi's compulsory school attendance law to provide specific protections and procedures for students with disabilities. It adds a new provision that explicitly excuses absences resulting from a student's disability as defined under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The bill prevents parents or legal guardians from being prosecuted for absences related to their child's disability and requires a comprehensive process when disability-related absences occur. This process includes implementing a "child find" procedure where the local education agency must initiate an evaluation to determine if the student has a disability and is eligible for special education services or a 504 Plan. If the absences are determined to be disability-related, all truancy proceedings must be dismissed. Additionally, the bill requires the State Board of Education to develop evidence-based interventions to help individual students vulnerable to chronic absences and address chronic absenteeism in schools and districts. The changes are designed to provide more supportive and understanding approaches to student attendance for children with disabilities, recognizing that their absences may be related to their specific medical or educational needs.

Education

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0792.xml