Relating to truancy and the offense of a parent contributing to nonattendance.
Impact
The legislation will amend various sections of the Education Code, specifically targeting truancy offenses and parental contributions to nonattendance. It proposes to change the assessment of fines for parents who fail to ensure their children attend school. Notably, the bill states that parents may be considered to have discharged their fines through community service hours, with specific guidelines set for the number of hours required. This could have significant implications for how truancy cases are handled in Texas, encouraging parents to engage in community service as a means of compliance while promoting accountability.
Summary
House Bill 2947 aims to address truancy and the associated responsibilities of parents regarding their children's attendance at school. The bill proposes modifications to existing laws concerning educational requirements and penalties for non-attendance. One of the key aspects of the bill is that it allows school districts to refer students to truancy court without imposing further truancy prevention measures if previous measures have failed. This is intended to streamline the process and ensure accountability for sustained non-attendance by students.
Sentiment
The sentiment around HB 2947 is likely to be mixed. Supporters may view it as a proactive measure to tackle the ongoing issue of student truancy and to reinforce the responsibilities of parents in their children's education. However, there may also be concerns regarding the enforcement of such measures and the potential ramifications for families, particularly those from low-income backgrounds who may struggle with compliance. Overall, the discussions surrounding the bill highlight the delicate balance between enforcing educational mandates and understanding the challenges faced by families.
Contention
Notable points of contention include the potential for increased penalties on parents, which some may argue places undue burden on families while failing to address the root causes of truancy. Additionally, the ability for parents to petition for nondisclosure of their criminal records connected to truancy offenses may spark debate regarding how these records affect individuals and their families in the long term. The interplay between educational policy and criminal justice is a significant focal point in the discussions surrounding this bill.
Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected
Education Code
Chapter 25. Admission, Transfer, And Attendance
Section: 0915
Section: 093
Section: New Section
Section: 0915
Section: 093
Section: 0915
Section: 093
Government Code
Chapter 411. Department Of Public Safety Of The State Of Texas
Relating to youth diversion strategies and procedures for children accused of certain fine-only offenses in municipal and justice courts and related criminal justice matters; authorizing fees.
Relating to youth diversion strategies and procedures for children accused of certain fine-only offenses in municipal and justice courts and related criminal justice matters; authorizing fees.
Relating to the establishment of the Texas Parental Empowerment Program and an insurance premium tax credit for contributions made for purposes of that program.
Relating to the establishment of the Texas Parental Empowerment Program and an insurance premium tax credit for contributions made for purposes of that program.
Relating to the establishment of the Texas Parental Empowerment Program and an insurance premium tax credit for contributions made for purposes of that program.