HB 1610 Summary

• Raises the compulsory school attendance age from 17 to 18 years old, or until a student successfully completes 16 credits toward high school graduation (defined as 100+ hours of instruction per course)

• Defines "compulsory attendance age for the district" to apply uniformly across all school districts, eliminating previous provisions allowing metropolitan school districts to set their own attendance ages

• Requires school districts to report students under 18 with 15 or more absences in a school year to the Division of Family Services, Children's Division within 10 business days

• Repeals section 167.052, which previously limited metropolitan school district attendance requirements to school years 2007-08 through 2011-12

• Maintains existing exemptions for students who are mentally or physically incapacitated, children aged 5-7 whose parents request removal from school rolls, and employed students aged 14+ with superintendent approval