VermontH.9302025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

An act relating to addressing and preventing chronic absenteeism

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

Truancy reporting and fines for families

Beginning July 1, 2026, approved independent schools must report Vermont-resident students who are not excused or exempt from attendance after 20 unexcused absences. The threshold applies within one school year or the last 175 consecutive student attendance days. After reviewing the reporting protocol, the superintendent must notify the truant officer and the state child welfare agency’s intake office. A truant officer must give parents written notice when absences are not excusable. Continued failure to ensure attendance without a legal excuse requires a complaint, evidence, and the reporting protocol to go to the county State’s Attorney. The State’s Attorney may prosecute or seek a court finding that the child needs supervision; criminal fines cannot exceed $1,000.

Learning options for suspended students

Beginning July 1, 2026, public and approved independent schools may offer alternative education during suspensions of three or more days. Options include tutoring, learning materials, and assignments. This permission does not guarantee those services during suspension. After expulsion, schools must provide educational access to the extent otherwise required by law.

Some school attendance enforcement powers removed

Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont repeals authority allowing or requiring school officials to stop certain children and take them to school. The repeal also removes related admission and return-to-home-district rules for some nonresident children. The law separately repeals an older attendance penalties section. These repeals do not eliminate the law’s separate truancy enforcement process.

New attendance rules for Vermont families

Beginning July 1, 2026, parents or guardians must ensure children ages 6–16 attend school or an eligible education program. Options include public school, approved or recognized independent school, an approved education program, or home study. Exceptions cover a medical recommendation preventing attendance, finishing 10th grade, an authorized excuse, or attending an approved or accredited postsecondary school. Children under 6 or over 16 enrolled in public or approved independent K–12 schools must also attend unless excused. The same attendance laws and applicable penalties apply to these families. Certain adult, independent, or unaccompanied students count as their own parent or guardian.

Clearer absence rules for students

Beginning July 1, 2026, missing at least 10% of school attendance days for any reason counts as chronic absenteeism. Truancy means 20 or more unexcused absences in one school year or the last 175 consecutive student attendance days. An absence includes missing at least half a day without attending school or receiving approved school services elsewhere. School leaders or their designees may excuse all or part of an absence, but may also request a reason. Those decisions must follow the required attendance policy; an excuse is not automatic. In-school and out-of-school suspension days count as excused absences.

School attendance support and policy requirements

Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont requires a prevention-first attendance framework, using school support and family engagement before truancy enforcement. The Agency of Education must publish a model policy by July 1, 2027, and review it at least every three years. It must consult education, social-work, law-enforcement, and child-and-family groups. The model must address absence excuses, disability protections, bullying, harassment, and hazing, with standard procedures and documentation templates. Districts and approved independent schools must adopt, enforce, and make available policies at least as strict as the model by July 1, 2028. Schools must use required procedures and record attendance data; schools without an adopted policy are presumed to follow the current model.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 6 • No: 24

Senate vote • 5/8/2026

Roll Call, requested by Senator Heffernan, Failed -- Needed 15 of 30 to Pass -- Yeas = 6, Nays = 24