Sec. 4. Each governing authority shall adopt a truancy prevention policy regarding absent students that includes the following:
(1) A school shall immediately provide written notification to the parent of an absent student that includes the following information:
(A) That the student is an absent student based on the student's school attendance.
(B) That the parent is responsible for:
(i) monitoring the absent student's school attendance; and
(ii) ensuring the absent student attends school in accordance with compulsory attendance laws.
(C) That the school will be initiating truancy prevention measures regarding the absent student.
(D) That the parent is required to attend an attendance conference regarding the truancy prevention measures that the school will be implementing for the absent student.
(E) That, if the student meets the requirements of a habitual truant, the:
(i) superintendent or attendance officer of the school is required to report the student to an intake officer of the juvenile court or the department of child services in accordance with IC 20-33-2-25;
(ii) juvenile court may determine that the student is committing a delinquent act as provided under IC 31-37-2-3; and
(iii) parent of the student may be subject to prosecution under IC 35-46-1-4.
(2) Except as provided under section 5 of this chapter, a school shall hold an attendance conference with at least the following individuals to discuss the student's absences and establish a plan for the student to prevent future absences:
(A) A representative of the school.
(B) A teacher of the student.
(C) The student's parent.
(D) A representative chosen by the student's parent who may provide insight into the student's absenteeism if the student's parent:
(i) makes a request to the school that the representative attend; and
(ii) provides notice to the school regarding the identification of the representative;
at least forty-eight (48) hours before the attendance conference.
(3) A school shall establish a plan under subdivision (2) that may include the following:
(A) Any wraparound services that are able to be provided to the absent student to ensure the absent student attends school.
(B) A specific description of the behavior that is required or prohibited for the absent student.
(C) The period for which the plan will be effective, not to exceed forty-five (45) instructional days after the date the plan is established.
(D) Any additional disciplinary action the school will take if the absent student does not comply with the plan.
(E) If applicable, a referral to counseling, mentoring, or other services for the student.
(F) If applicable, whether a parent is expected to attend the counseling, mentoring, or other services under clause (E) with the student.
(G) To the extent possible, the signature of the parent of the student agreeing to comply with the plan.
(4) A school shall offer additional counseling or services to an absent student if the school determines that the student's absences are related to any of the following:
(A) The student's pregnancy.
(B) That the student is in foster care (as defined in IC 31-9-2.1-107).
(C) That the student is homeless.
(D) That the student has a severe or life threatening illness or related treatment.
As added by P.L.125-2024, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.145-2026, SEC.121.
