SF1781 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Student attendance statutes references provision
Related bill: HF62
AI Generated Summary
This Minnesota Senate bill (S.F. No. 1781) relates to student attendance laws and organizes various provisions under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 120A. It references existing statutes governing student attendance requirements, school district responsibilities, and related legal consequences. Key provisions include:
- Compulsory Instruction & Age Requirements: Defines the age at which students are required to attend school and limitations on public school admissions based on age.
- District of Residence: Establishes free public school admission for students residing in a district and allows for nonresident attendance under certain conditions, with the possibility of termination for habitual truancy.
- Nonpublic School Reporting: Requires nonpublic schools or instructors to report student attendance to local school superintendents.
- Transportation: Details school district obligations for student transportation, including for students attending area learning centers, and circumstances under which bus privileges may be revoked.
- Students with Disabilities: Ensures that students with disabilities receive appropriate transportation and educational services under federal and state law.
- Funding for Truancy Reduction Programs: Authorizes school districts to use specific funds to address truancy.
- Absences & Excused Absences: Establishes processes for excused absences, including religious or cultural observances.
- Student Removal from Attendance Rolls: Specifies that students absent for 15 consecutive days are classified as withdrawn.
- Truancy Regulations: Defines continued truancy, outlines truancy notification requirements for parents, and permits community-based truancy programs. Allows county attorneys to implement mediation programs for truancy cases.
- Maltreatment & Neglect Related to Truancy: Links habitual truancy to child protection laws and potential cases of neglect.
- Criminal Penalties: Establishes penalties for individuals who fail to provide required education or contribute to a child being habitually truant, with offenses ranging from petty misdemeanors to felonies.
The bill primarily consolidates and clarifies existing laws related to student attendance rather than introducing new substantive policies.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 23, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| February 23, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Referred to | Education Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References compulsory instruction requirements and excused absences for students.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "120A.22"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Governs admission to public schools based on district residence and age.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "120A.20"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Addresses nonresident students' attendance and conditions for enrollment termination due to truancy.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "124D.03"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Requires nonpublic schools to report student attendance and maintain documentation.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "120A.24"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Mandates school districts to provide transportation for enrolled students.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "123B.88"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Allows school districts to revoke students' bus riding privileges.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "121A.59"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Relates to transportation policies for school districts.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "123B.91"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Provides regulations for school buses and vehicular transportation for students.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Addresses operator requirements for school transportation vehicles.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "171"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Specifies qualifications for operators of certain types of school transportation vehicles.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "171.321"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Covers regulations for type III vehicles used in student transportation.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169.454"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Requires transportation for students with disabilities as per the IDEA and chapter 125A.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "123B.88"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Permits districts to use funds for programs aimed at reducing truancy.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "126C.15"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Requires districts to accommodate religious and cultural observance excused absences.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "120A.35"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Details procedures for removing students from the attendance roll after consecutive absences.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "126C.05"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Regulates truancy programs and outlines the definition of truancy.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "260A"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines continuing truant status and criteria for elementary and secondary students.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "260A.02"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Obligates districts to notify parents when a child is deemed truant.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "260A.03"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Allows for community-based truancy programs and interventions.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "260A.04"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Permits county attorneys to establish truancy mediation programs.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "260A.07"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Governs the disclosure of student truancy data to county authorities.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "13.32"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Addresses maltreatment related to truancy, e.g. neglect under section 260E.03.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "260E"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines terms related to child protection, including habitual truant designations.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "260C.007"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Details legal presumptions regarding parental intent and compliance with instruction laws.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "260C.163"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Provides definitions related to maltreatment and neglect due to educational failures.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "260E.03"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Specifies penalties for failing to provide mandatory instruction to children.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "120A.34"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Outlines criminal consequences for contributing to a child's habitual truancy.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.26"
}
]