LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
200 W. Washington St., Suite 301
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-0696
iga.in.gov
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6915 NOTE PREPARED: Mar 8, 2024
BILL NUMBER: SB 282 BILL AMENDED: Mar 8, 2024
SUBJECT: Absenteeism and School Attendance.
FIRST AUTHOR: Sen. Donato BILL STATUS: Enrolled
FIRST SPONSOR: Rep. Carbaugh
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL IMPACT: State & Local
DEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: This bill amends the duties of an attendance officer and the State Attendance
Officer. The bill requires, not later than November 1 of each year, the State Attendance Officer to submit
a report to the Legislative Council containing recommended legislation based on the State Attendance
Officer's discussions with attendance officers. It requires each governing authority of a school corporation
and charter school to establish a truancy prevention policy regarding certain students in kindergarten through
grade 6. It provides that a prosecuting attorney shall notify each parent of a child when an affidavit is filed
regarding the child's compulsory attendance violations or if the child is a habitual truant.
Effective Date: July 1, 2024.
Explanation of State Expenditures: This bill requires the Department of Education (DOE) to establish
guidance regarding the truancy policies to be adopted by schools under provisions of this bill. DOE should
be able to accomplish these tasks with existing staff and resources.
The bill will also increase the workload of the State Attendance Officer and the Department of Child Services
to meet at least once each year with local attendance officers. The State Attendance Officer will be required
to prepare a report based on their discussions with local attendance officers and will recommend legislation
to deter absenteeism and promote school attendance. These agencies should be able to accomplish this task
within existing resources.
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures: Truancy Prevention Policy: The bill requires public schools to
SB 282 1 establish and implement a truancy prevention policy to address truancy before a child becomes a habitual
truant and to minimize the need for referrals to juvenile courts. A truancy prevention policy must specify that
schools will notify parents of absentee children of the parent’s responsibilities regarding student attendance
and require that the parent participate in an attendance conference with school officials regarding measures
being taken to prevent further absenteeism. Schools must establish a truancy prevention plan for each
absentee student and hold an attendance conference with a parent of each absentee student. Additional
counseling services are to be provided to a student under certain circumstances.
Depending on existing policies and practices and on the prevalence of absenteeism in a school, these
requirements may constitute a significant workload increase for some schools. Existing staffing and resource
levels, if currently being used to capacity, may be insufficient for full implementation. The additional funds
and resources required could be supplied through existing staff and resources currently being used in another
program or with new appropriations. Ultimately, the source of funds and resources required to satisfy the
requirements of this bill will depend on legislative and administrative actions.
School Attendance Officer and Juvenile Court: The bill adds to the duties of the school attendance officer
and the juvenile court. It requires the attendance officer to meet at least once a year with:
(1) The Department of Child Services and the intake officer for the juvenile court to discuss the
effectiveness of truancy prevention measures in their district; and
(2) The State Attendance Officer to discuss the effectiveness of truancy prevention measures, review
data, policies, procedures, and discuss potential recommendations to the Legislative Council
regarding legislation to deter absenteeism and promote school attendance.
Prosecuting Attorneys: Prosecuting attorneys must notify parents if an affidavit of habitual truancy is filed
with the prosecuting attorney’s officer. This may increase the workload for prosecuting attorneys, but any
increase is expected to be met within existing resources.
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected: Department of Education; Department of Child Services.
Local Agencies Affected: Public schools; Juvenile courts; Prosecuting attorneys.
Information Sources:
Fiscal Analyst: Alexander Raggio, 317-234-9485; Corrin Harvey, 317-234-9438; Kelan Fong,
317-232-9592.
SB 282 2