HF1604

This bill proposes amendments to Minnesota's laws regarding school attendance, truancy, and child welfare responses to educational neglect.

Key Provisions:

1. Redefinition of Habitual Truant

   • Modifies the definition of "habitual truant" to specify that children aged 12 to 17 who have at least seven unexcused absences per school year meet the definition.
     
   • Expands the definition to include children under 12 if they have at least seven unexcused absences and evidence shows the absences were not due to parental neglect.
     

2. Mandatory Reporting of Attendance Concerns

   • Requires school personnel and other mandated reporters to immediately report to a local welfare agency when a child has seven or more unexcused absences in a school year and is at risk of truancy or educational neglect.
     
   • Allows voluntary reporting by any other individual.
     
   • Requires a written follow-up report within 72 hours of an oral report.
     

3. Child Welfare Response

   • Requires the local welfare agency to respond to reports of educational neglect by offering services to the child and family.
     
   • Encourages collaboration with community partners to provide culturally appropriate services.
     
   • If unexcused absences continue and the family does not engage with services, the law mandates filing a report of educational neglect.
     

4. Appropriation of Funds

   • Allocates state funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support child welfare response efforts related to school attendance.
   • Provides grants to local welfare agencies for improving school attendance, with funding also supporting program evaluation to assess effectiveness.
     

This bill aims to strengthen intervention efforts for school attendance issues, ensure timely reporting, and provide appropriate support to families while addressing educational neglect.