89R10986 MCF-D     By: Louderback H.B. No. 3613       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the number of unexcused absences from school that   constitute truant conduct or parental contribution to   nonattendance of school and a school district's discretion to refer   a student to truancy court.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 25.095(b), Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (b)  A school district shall notify a student's parent if the   student has been absent from school, without excuse under Section   25.087, on three days or parts of days within a four-week period in   the same school year.  The notice must:                (1)  inform the parent that:                      (A)  it is the parent's duty to monitor the   student's school attendance and require the student to attend   school; [and]                      (B)  the student is subject to truancy prevention   measures under Section 25.0915; and                      (C)  the student may be referred to a truancy   court for truant conduct under Section 65.003(a), Family Code; and                (2)  request a conference between school officials and   the parent to discuss the absences.          SECTION 2.  Section 25.0951, Education Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsections (b) and (d) to   read as follows:          (a-1)  If a student fails to attend school without excuse on   three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period in the   same school year but does not fail to attend school for the time   described by Subsection (a), the school district may, before the   10th school day after the student's third absence, refer the   student to a truancy court for truant conduct under Section   65.003(a), Family Code.          (b)  If a student fails to attend school without excuse as   specified by Subsection (a) or (a-1), a school district may file a   complaint against the student's parent in a county, justice, or   municipal court for an offense under Section 25.093 if the school   district provides evidence of the parent's criminal negligence.  In   this subsection, "parent" includes a person standing in parental   relation.          (d)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a) or (a-1), a school   district may delay a referral of a student for truant conduct, or   may choose to not refer a student for truant conduct, if the school   district:                (1)  is applying truancy prevention measures to the   student under Section 25.0915; and                (2)  determines that the truancy prevention measures   are succeeding and it is in the best interest of the student that a   referral be delayed or not be made.          SECTION 3.  Section 65.003(a), Family Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (a)  A child engages in truant conduct if the child is   required to attend school under Section 25.085, Education Code, and   fails to attend school on:                (1)  10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month   period in the same school year; or                (2)  three or more days or parts of days within a   four-week period in the same school year.          SECTION 4.  The changes in law made by this Act apply   beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.          SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.