{"AmendmentNumber":"45","ParentBillNumber":"S3111","Bill":null,"Sponsor":{"Id":"BET0","Name":"Bruce E. Tarr","Type":1,"Details":"https://malegislature.gov/api/GeneralCourts/194/LegislativeMembers/BET0","ResponseDate":"2026-06-08T14:04:41.003"},"Category":null,"Action":"Rejected","RollCall":[],"Title":"Require DESE to Develop Statewide Truancy and Engagement Standards","Branch":"Senate","RedraftNumber":null,"IsFurther":false,"GeneralCourtNumber":194,"Text":"Mr. Tarr moves that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section _ the following section:-\r\n\"SECTION_. Chapter 69 of the general laws as appearing in the 2024 official edition is hereby amended by inserting after section 39 the following new section:- 40. (a) The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop and issue statewide standards for truancy intervention, student engagement practices, and alternatives to filing a petition under section 39E of chapter 119. The standards shall be evidence‑based and designed to reduce unnecessary court involvement by ensuring that schools address the root causes of absenteeism and disengagement.\r\n(b) The statewide standards shall include, but not be limited to:\r\n(1) required timelines for school‑based interventions in response to early warning indicators of chronic absenteeism;\r\n(2) minimum requirements for family engagement, including outreach attempts, language‑accessible communication, and opportunities for collaborative problem‑solving;\r\n(3) guidance on identifying and addressing underlying causes of absenteeism, including unmet special education needs, bullying or harassment, behavioral health concerns, transportation barriers, and disability‑related accommodations;\r\n(4) required documentation of all interventions attempted prior to any referral to a Family Resource Center or consideration of a child requiring assistance petition;\r\n(5) standards for coordination with Family Resource Centers and community‑based service providers;\r\n(6) guidance on culturally responsive and trauma‑informed engagement practices; and\r\n(7) model policies and procedures for school districts to adopt or adapt.\r\n(c) Each school district shall adopt policies consistent with the statewide standards and shall annually submit its truancy and engagement policies to the department. The department shall review district policies for compliance and may require corrective action where necessary.\r\n(d) The department shall publish all district policies submitted under this section on its website and shall annually report to the senate and house committees on ways and means, the joint committee on education, the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities, and the office of the child advocate on:\r\n(1) district compliance with statewide standards;\r\n(2) trends in chronic absenteeism and school disengagement; and\r\n(3) the impact of the standards on referrals to Family Resource Centers and CRA filings.\".\r\n"}