Bill > HB1358

This bill amends the Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law to add a new provision for excused student absences related to participating in specific roping and barrel horse racing events. Specifically, the bill allows compulsory-school-age children (students between ages 5-17) to receive an excused absence when they are participating in official organized events sponsored by the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) or the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA). To receive the excused absence, the event organizer and the parent of the participating student must provide a written excuse to the school superintendent. This modification expands the existing list of valid reasons for temporary school nonattendance, which already includes excuses for activities like 4-H or Future Farmers of America events, medical appointments, and family emergencies. The bill will go into effect on July 1, 2025, providing schools and families advance notice of the new excused absence category for students involved in these specific equestrian competitions.

Education

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB1358.xml