VT H0930

Defines "chronic absenteeism" as missing 10% or more of school attendance days for any reason, and "truancy" as accumulating 20 or more unexcused absences within a school year or within 175 consecutive attendance days.

Requires the Agency of Education to develop a model policy on preventing chronic absenteeism and truancy by July 1, 2027, in consultation with school boards, superintendents, principals, independent schools, and counselor associations.

Mandates all school districts and approved independent schools adopt and implement chronic absenteeism policies at least as stringent as the state model by July 1, 2028; schools failing to adopt a policy will default to the Agency's model.

Establishes 12 categories of excused absences including illness, family emergencies, medical appointments, religious holidays, court appearances, college visits, and homelessness-related transitions; preapproved absences for family activities are limited to 10 cumulative days per year.

Requires truancy cases to be reported to the Department for Children and Families' Centralized Intake and Emergency Services, and authorizes State's Attorneys to prosecute parents/guardians (up to $1,000 fine) or file a child in need of supervision petition.