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Senate Resolution 217
By: Senators Kennedy of the 18th, Hickman of the 4th, Hatchett of the 50th, Robertson of
the 29th, Gooch of the 51st and others
ADOPTED SENATE
A RESOLUTION
Creating the Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools; and
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for other purposes.2
WHEREAS, chronic absenteeism impacts over 21.7 percent of students in Georgia; and3
WHEREAS, students who experience chronic absenteeism are more likely to fall behind in4
their academic work, face higher dropout rates, and struggle with long-term success in both5
education and future employment; and6
WHEREAS, absenteeism can be caused by a variety of factors, including, but not limited to,7
health issues, family instability, socioeconomic barriers, transportation difficulties, and8
school climate concerns; and9
WHEREAS, addressing chronic absenteeism requires a collaborative and multifaceted10
approach that involves school administrators, educators, parents, policymakers, and11
community organizations; and12
WHEREAS, research has shown that early intervention and targeted support programs can13
significantly reduce chronic absenteeism and its negative effects; and14
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WHEREAS, thoughtful deliberation through communications with school administrators,
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educators, parents, policymakers, and community organizations will help Georgia develop16
the best solution to this problem faced by our students.17
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE:18
(1) Creation of Senate study committee. There is created the Senate Study Committee19
on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools.20
(2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of six members of the21
Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate. The President shall designate a22
member of the committee as chairperson of the committee.23
(3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs,24
issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or25
legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.26
(4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee27
may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or28
convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and29
accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.30
(5) Allowances and funding.31
(A) The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided32
for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.33
(B) The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member34
of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. Funds35
necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds36
appropriated to the Senate.37
(6) Report.38
(A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that39
include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file a report of the40
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same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution, subject to
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subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.42
(B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not include suggestions for43
proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file the report, subject to subparagraph (C)44
of this paragraph.45
(C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of46
abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee. 47
A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with48
the Secretary of the Senate.49
(D) In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Secretary50
of the Senate a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu thereof.51
(7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2025.52
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