LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 7271 NOTE PREPARED: Apr 24, 2025
BILL NUMBER: SB 482 BILL AMENDED: Apr 24, 2025
SUBJECT: Absenteeism.
FIRST AUTHOR: Sen. Donato BILL STATUS: Enrolled
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. The 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
routine administrative functions and should be able to be implemented with no additional appropriations,
SB 482 1 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