SR217: SR217 Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools; create

More than 21.7 percent of Georgia students are chronically absent from school, which the resolution says increases dropout rates and hurts long-term academic and career success. Rather than changing any law directly, this resolution sets up a temporary Senate study committee to look into the causes of chronic absenteeism, such as health issues, family instability, transportation problems, and school climate, and to consider ways to address them. The committee will have six senators appointed by the President of the Senate, one of whom will serve as chairperson. It can hold meetings as needed, and members receive standard legislative allowances (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) for up to five days unless more are approved. If the committee approves findings or legislative recommendations, the chairperson must file a report with the Secretary of the Senate. The committee automatically ends on December 1, 2025.

• Creates the Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools to examine why students miss school and what can be done about it.
• Directs the President of the Senate to appoint six senators to the committee and name one as chairperson.
• Authorizes the committee to hold meetings and study the causes of absenteeism, including health, family instability, transportation, and school climate issues.
• Allows committee members to receive standard per diem legislative allowances (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) for up to five meeting days unless more days are approved.
• Requires the chairperson to file any approved findings or legislative recommendations with the Secretary of the Senate.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2025.

The six senators appointed to the committee, the President of the Senate who appoints them, and indirectly Georgia's public school students, parents, teachers, and administrators whose absenteeism issues the committee will study and may eventually propose legislation to address.

The resolution does not change any law itself, but it sets the stage for future legislation on chronic absenteeism by gathering input from educators, parents, and community groups. Any concrete impact on schools or families would depend on what the committee recommends and whether lawmakers act on it later.

• Paragraph (1) creates the Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools.
• Paragraph (2) sets committee membership at six senators appointed by the President of the Senate, with one designated chairperson.
• Paragraph (3) charges the committee with studying absenteeism-related conditions and recommending action or legislation it deems necessary.
• Paragraph (5) sets member allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at five days unless additional days are authorized, funded through Senate appropriations.
• Paragraph (6) requires any approved findings, recommendations, or minutes to be filed with the Secretary of the Senate.
• Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee on December 1, 2025.

1. 2025-04-02Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-03Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
3. 2025-02-28Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
4. 2025-02-20Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
5. 2025-02-19Senate Hopper (Senate)

• John Kennedy (R, SD-018)Primary sponsor
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)

1. PassedSenate voteApril 2, 2025

   52 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 1 absent)

   Consent Calendar For Senate Study Committees: Senate Vote #380

• school absenteeism
• education policy
• Georgia Senate study committee
• student attendance