MS HB1314

Transfers employment responsibility for school attendance officers from the State Department of Education to local school districts effective July 1, 2022, with districts required to hire officers currently serving under the department without requiring new applications or interviews

Requires the State Department of Education to transfer all funds appropriated for school attendance officers to local school districts by July 15 of each year

Mandates school attendance officers maintain regular office hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) from their return from designated leave until the last day before their designated leave begins, with each district designating a 6-week consecutive summer period when officers are not required to work

Removes the statewide cap of 153 school attendance officers, allowing local school boards to determine the number of officers necessary to enforce compulsory attendance laws in their districts

Requires school attendance officers to check district-assigned email and cellular phones during their 6-week designated leave period to remain aware of important announcements or messages