LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 7271 NOTE PREPARED: Apr 15, 2025
BILL NUMBER: SB 482 BILL AMENDED: Apr 9, 2025
SUBJECT: Absenteeism.
FIRST AUTHOR: Sen. Donato BILL STATUS: As Passed House
FIRST SPONSOR: Rep. Davis
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL IMPACT: State & Local
DEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: The bill defines "chronically absent". It requires the Department of Education
(DOE) to do the following:
(1) Create a list of best practices to reduce student discipline and absenteeism.
(2) Study and prepare a report regarding the basis for the categorization of certain suspensions and
expulsions.
(3) Establish a categorization framework for excused absences based on the reason for the absence.
(4) Collect certain information regarding absences from school corporations and charter schools.
(5) Prepare and post a report regarding the information on the DOE’s website.
The bill provides that the absence policy adopted by the governing body of a school corporation must provide
for the categorization of excused absences in accordance with the categorization framework established by
the DOE.
The bill allows a prosecuting attorney to conduct a meeting, collaborate, and make reasonable efforts to
secure appropriate support services for a child and the child's family before filing an affidavit with regard
to a violation of compulsory school attendance requirements. The bill amends the definition of "absent
student" for purposes of the truancy prevention policy provisions. It requires a public school to hold an
attendance conference not later than 10 instructional days (instead of five instructional days) after the
student's fifth absence.nThe bill prohibits a public school from expelling or suspending a student solely
because the student is chronically absent or a habitual truant.
The bill also makes a conforming change.
Effective Date: July 1, 2025.
Explanation of State Expenditures: The DOE will experience a workload increase to adhere to the bill’s
requirements regarding student discipline and attendance. The bill’s requirements are within the agency’s
SB 482 1 routine administrative functions and should be able to be implemented with no additional appropriations,
assuming near customary agency staffing and resource levels.
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures: The bill will decrease the administrative workload for school
corporations by providing schools additional time to organize an attendance conference. Prosecuting
attorneys may have a minor workload increase if they hold attendance intervention meetings for certain
students.
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected: Department of Education.
Local Agencies Affected: School corporations; prosecuting attorneys.
Information Sources:
Fiscal Analyst: Kelan Fong, 317-232-9592.
SB 482 2