TX HB2847

Increases the penalty for parents who contribute to their child's nonattendance at school from a fine-only offense (ranging from $100-$500 depending on number of offenses) to a Class C misdemeanor

Redefines truancy threshold as missing 10 percent of a school's required operation and instructional time within a school year, replacing the previous standard of 10 or more days within a six-month period

Requires courts to dismiss charges against parents who complete the terms of an agreement with the school district within 30 days of a complaint being filed, or within an extended period if the district agrees

Mandates school districts submit annual attendance reports to the Texas Education Agency with data on truant students, truancy prevention measures, truancy court referrals, and parent complaints filed, disaggregated by campus and grade

Requires county commissioners courts to designate one or more justice courts as truancy courts, eliminating municipal courts and constitutional county courts from serving as truancy courts

Allows parents convicted of contributing to nonattendance to petition for nondisclosure of their criminal history record if they complete a court-approved program