UT HB0526

Local education agencies (LEAs) must refer students for welfare checks after 10 or more consecutive absences when parents have not notified the school, filed homeschool paperwork, provided unenrollment notice, or responded to repeated contact attempts

Welfare check referrals are required only when the LEA has no record of the student enrolling in another school or has not received a records request from another educational entity

Referrals must be made to either local law enforcement or the Division of Child and Family Services to verify the student's safety and well-being

Making a welfare check referral does not preclude or require any other actions under attendance laws or abuse, neglect, and dependency proceedings

Effective date: May 6, 2026