23 LC 33 9194
H. B. 8
- 1 -
House Bill 8
By: Representatives Scott of the 76
th
, Jones of the 60
th
, Carter of the 93
rd
, Taylor of the 92
nd
,
Davis of the 87
th
, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Subpart 2 of Part 1 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of
1
Georgia Annotated, relating to compulsory attendance, so as to provide that school2
attendance policies regarding excused absences take into consideration mental and behavioral3
health; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5
SECTION 1.6
Subpart 2 of Part 1 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia7
Annotated, relating to compulsory attendance, is amended by revising Code Section8
20-2-693, relating to exemptions from compulsory attendance, as follows:9
"20-2-693.10
(a) Children during the ages of mandatory attendance as required in subsection (a) of Code11
Section 20-2-690.1 who are excused from attendance in public school by county or12
independent school system boards in accordance with general policies and regulations13
promulgated by the State Board of Education shall be exempt from this subpart. The state14
board, in promulgating its general policies and regulations, shall take into consideration15 23 LC 33 9194
H. B. 8
- 2 -
sickness, including mental or behavioral health, and other emergencies which may arise in16
any school community.17
(b) Children during the ages of mandatory attendance as required in subsection (a) of Code18
Section 20-2-690.1 who are excused from attendance at private schools or home study19
programs for sickness, including mental or behavioral health, or emergencies, or for other20
reasons substantially the same as the reasons for excused absences from attendance at21
public school authorized by state board policy pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code22
section shall be exempt from this subpart."23
SECTION 2.24
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.25