Bill > B26-0402

This bill modifies the District of Columbia's school attendance laws by making several key changes to address truancy and educational neglect. The bill reduces the number of unexcused absences before an educational institution must notify the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) from 10 to 5 days, and requires schools to alert the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) after 10 unexcused absences, who will then send a warning letter to the student and their caregiver. For students aged 5-13, if the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) determines there is insufficient evidence of educational neglect, they must refer the case to the Department of Human Services (DHS) within three days, which will then attempt to contact the parent and provide social services to support school attendance. The bill also mandates that by March 31, 2028, the Deputy Mayor for Education must create a unified absenteeism referral system that will direct all age groups to DHS for support. Additionally, CFSA and DHS are required to co-publish a report by August 31, 2027, detailing the number of educational neglect referrals, the social services offered, and attendance outcomes. The bill aims to improve school attendance by providing more proactive intervention and support for students and families experiencing attendance challenges.

https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/B26-0402