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Bill > SB984
PA SB984
PA SB984In pupils and attendance, further providing for attendance policy at charter, regional charter and cyber charter schools, for procedure when child is truant, for procedure by school when child habitually truant, for procedure upon filing of citation and for penalties for violating compulsory school attendance requirements, repealing provisions relating to study of truancy procedure, providing for department supports to prevent truancy and further providing for reports to Superintendent of Public
summary
Introduced
08/27/2025
08/27/2025
In Committee
08/27/2025
08/27/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An act relating to the public school system, including certain provisions applicable as well to private and parochial schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the laws relating thereto," in pupils and attendance, further providing for attendance policy at charter, regional charter and cyber charter schools, for procedure when child is truant, for procedure by school when child habitually truant, for procedure upon filing of citation and for penalties for violating compulsory school attendance requirements, repealing provisions relating to study of truancy procedure, providing for department supports to prevent truancy and further providing for reports to Superintendent of Public Instruction.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Pennsylvania's school attendance laws to improve tracking and addressing student truancy, with a particular focus on cyber charter schools. The bill requires cyber charter schools to establish more detailed attendance policies, including specific rules for synchronous and asynchronous instruction, such as requiring students to be visible on camera during live instruction and meet weekly coursework benchmarks. When a student becomes truant, schools must now provide written notice to parents within ten school days, including information about resources to help the student return to compliant attendance and warning that a habitually truant student cannot transfer to virtual or cyber charter school without a judge's approval. The bill also requires educational entities to continue pursuing remedies for truancy even if the student changes schools, allows judges more flexibility in handling truancy cases, and mandates that the Department of Education develop truancy prevention programs. Additionally, the bill removes a previous requirement for a comprehensive study of truancy procedures and adds penalties for school administrators who knowingly falsify attendance reports, including potential misdemeanor charges. The changes aim to more effectively address student absenteeism and provide support for students struggling with regular school attendance.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (8)
Tracy Pennycuick (R)*,
Lisa Baker (R),
Rosemary Brown (R),
Wayne Langerholc (R),
Lynda Schlegel-Culver (R),
Pat Stefano (R),
Elder Vogel (R),
Judy Ward (R),
Last Action
Referred to Education (on 08/27/2025)
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