TN SB1968

Requires school directors to report students' absences to juvenile court when a student receiving tier two or tier three truancy interventions withdraws from a school district without transferring to another district

Allows judges to fine parents or guardians up to $50 or assign community service if a K-12 student is adjudicated unruly for accumulating 5 or more unexcused absences in a school year

Mandates that unexcused absences follow students who transfer mid-year, requiring receiving schools to count prior absences toward truancy thresholds

Requires juvenile court referrals to include certification that the school applied progressive truancy interventions before the student withdrew

Takes effect July 1, 2026