HB 399 Sub 1: Non-Criminal Absenteeism Solutions

Chronic absenteeism is on the rise in Utah’s public schools. In fact, one in four Utah students are missing 18 school days or more. 

But for many, they want to criminalize students to address the rise in chronic absenteeism.

The first substitute of House Bill 399 from Representative Andrew Stoddard is the right move when it comes to addressing this problem.

The substitute of this bill removes the desire to criminalize students. Instead, the substitute provides the means to study why students are absent from school. Knowing why a student is missing school will lead to far better solutions to address the rising absenteeism problem.