NE LB492

Defines "habitually truant from school" as a child aged 13-16 who has accrued 20 or more unexcused absences during a school year with documented loss of educational attainment

Creates a defense to truancy adjudication if the child has fewer than 20 unexcused absences after excluding absences caused by lack of transportation, school failure to coordinate agreed-upon interventions, or illness excused by a parent/guardian

Requires schools to provide attendance intervention services prior to 20 days of absence (changed from "upon" 20 days), including written communication and meetings to develop collaborative attendance improvement plans

Referrals to the county attorney now require schools to document that the collaborative plan was unsuccessful and that 20+ unexcused absences resulted in documented educational loss

Failure by schools to document required intervention efforts serves as a defense to both criminal prosecution of parents and juvenile court adjudication for truancy