Bill > HB1434

This bill modifies the process for addressing student absences in Missouri schools by establishing a more comprehensive approach to managing and responding to unexcused absences. Under the new provisions, when a child under seventeen accumulates fifteen or more absences without a physician's excuse, the school district must schedule a meeting with the school counselor, the child, and the child's parent or guardian to develop an action plan to prevent further unexcused absences. If the parent fails to attend the meeting or the child continues to have unexcused absences, the school district must report these absences to the children's division of the state department of social services within one week. The children's division is then required to conduct a home visit and notify the parents about the absences, warning that continued unexcused absences may be considered educational neglect. The bill also specifies that if additional unexcused absences occur after the home visit, the parent can be subject to penalties under existing law, with the goal of encouraging school attendance and parental involvement in a child's education.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1434&year=2025&code=R