SR 217: Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools; create

More than 21.7 percent of Georgia students are chronically absent from school, according to the resolution, a problem linked to falling behind academically, higher dropout rates, and worse long-term outcomes. This resolution responds by creating the Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools rather than by changing any existing law itself. The committee would have six members appointed by the President of the Senate, one of whom would serve as chairperson and call all meetings. Its job is to study the causes of absenteeism, such as health issues, family instability, transportation problems, and school climate, and to recommend actions or legislation. Members would receive standard legislative allowances (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) for up to five meeting days, paid from Senate funds. Any approved findings or recommendations must be filed as a report before the committee is abolished on December 1, 2025.

• Creates the Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools, made up of six senators appointed by the President of the Senate.
• Directs the committee to study the causes of chronic absenteeism and recommend action or legislation to address it.
• Lets the chairperson call and schedule meetings and requires a majority vote of a quorum to approve any final report.
• Pays legislative members standard daily allowances under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) for up to five meeting days, funded through the Senate's budget.
• Sets the committee to automatically dissolve on December 1, 2025, after which any approved report must already be filed with the Secretary of the Senate.

The resolution directly affects the six senators appointed to the study committee and the Senate as an institution, which funds and staffs the effort. Indirectly, it concerns Georgia public school students, parents, educators, school administrators, and community organizations involved in addressing student absenteeism.

The resolution does not change any law or school policy on its own; it sets up a process for lawmakers to gather information and consider future legislation on chronic absenteeism, a problem the resolution says affects over a fifth of Georgia students and is tied to dropout risk and academic struggles.

• Paragraph (1) formally 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, who also names the chairperson.
• Paragraph (3) gives the committee authority to study absenteeism-related issues and recommend legislation or other action.
• Paragraph (5) limits paid allowances to five meeting days unless additional days are authorized, funded from Senate appropriations.
• Paragraph (6) requires any approved findings or recommendations to be filed as a report with the Secretary of the Senate before the committee's abolishment date.
• 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 F. Kennedy (R, SD-18)Primary sponsor
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-4)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-50)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-29)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-51)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-48)

1. PassedSenate voteApril 2, 2025

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

   CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SENATE STUDY COMMITTEES: Senate Vote #380

• chronic absenteeism
• school attendance
• education policy
• Georgia Senate study committees