HB4621 Summary

• Increases the compulsory school attendance age from 17 to 18 years old, requiring parents or guardians to ensure children attend school until age 18 unless they have graduated.

• Amends the High School Equivalency Testing Program to raise the minimum eligible age for GED testing from 17 to 18 years old.

• Modifies enrollment denial provisions to allow schools to deny enrollment to students 18 years old or older (instead of 17) for one semester based on academic or attendance standards, with specific conditions including written notice and appeal rights.

• Changes eligibility requirements for various education programs and certificates to reference age 18 instead of 17, including truancy programs for dropouts.

• Effective date: July 1, 2012.