New legislation expands the oversight — and support — chronically absent middle and high schoolers will face. Photo by Nathan Cima, Unsplash.

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana middle and high school students with repeated unexcused absences will face increased oversight and access to additional support under a new law signed last week by Gov. Mike Braun.

Senate Enrolled Act 482 expands a 2023 law that required schools to intervene when elementary students accumulated five unexcused absences within a 10-week period. The new measure extends those requirements to students in grades seven through 12.

Under the law, schools must meet with families of persistently absent students and develop attendance plans. These plans may include wraparound services, potential disciplinary measures, and referrals to resources such as counseling.

“I believe the way we’ve created language, it’s very positive in terms of supporting schools and really getting the outcomes we want, which is to get them in the classroom,” said Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis, chair of the House Education Committee.

During the 2022-23 school year, nearly 18% of Indiana students were chronically absent, which is defined as missing at least 10% of the school year for any reason. While this marked a slight improvement from the previous year, absenteeism remains high following a sharp rise during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The law also reinforces the role of county prosecutors in addressing truancy. Under existing law, school districts must report students with 10 or more unexcused absences to the local prosecutor’s office. While prosecution is rare, the new law clarifies the types of support prosecutors can provide. These include facilitating meetings with families and educators, developing intervention plans, and connecting families with services such as counseling and mental health care.

Behning said he believes the involvement of prosecutors may help engage students more seriously with their education.

In addition to expanding intervention measures, the law mandates the Indiana Department of Education to collect and publish annual data on the reasons for students’ excused absences. Lawmakers hope the data will offer greater insight into the root causes of absenteeism.

Senate Enrolled Act 482 takes effect Tuesday, July 1.