1. (1) As used in this section:

   1. (a)
   2. (b)
   3. (c) "Complaint" has the same meaning as in KRS 600.020; "Court-designated worker" has the same meaning as in KRS 600.020; and "Habitual truant" has the same meaning as in KRS 159.150(3).
2. (2) The purpose of this section is to require the collection and reporting of data that will aid in the understanding of the impact that various interventions have on the attendance of students who are habitually truant.

3. (3) Beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, each school district shall document the following information in the state student information system:

   1. (a) The filing of a complaint for habitual truancy by the school district with the court-designated worker;
   2. (b) The resolution of the habitual truancy complaint filed with the court- designated worker, including the date of the resolution and whether the complaint was: 1. Not pursued; 2. 3. 4. Resolved in some other manner; Successfully diverted; Forwarded to the county attorney for court action; or
   3. (c) The reporting of a student to the county attorney as required by KRS 159.140(3)(b); and
   4. (d) When a habitual truancy petition is filed with the court.

4. (4) By December 1, 2028, and by December 1 of each year until December 1, 2031, the Kentucky Department of Education shall submit to the Legislative Research Commission for referral to the Interim Joint Committee on Education and the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary an annual report that includes the information under this subsection for the prior school term. The information shall be reported by school district, and within each school district by gender, race, and grade level, and contain the following:

   1. (a) The number of students reported to the county attorney as required under KRS 159.140(3)(b);
   2. (b) The number of students against whom a complaint for habitual truancy is filed with the court-designated worker, and among those children: 1. The number of unexcused absences per student prior to the filing of the complaint for habitual truancy; The number of students placed on diversion by the court-designated worker and the number of unexcused absences per student after the student is placed on diversion; The number of students who successfully complete diversion and the number of unexcused absences per student after diversion is completed; and 2. 3. 4. The number of students whose case is referred to court on a habitual truancy complaint, and the number of unexcused absences per student after the complaint is referred to court; and
   3. (c) The number of students who are withdrawn from a school district following the report to the county attorney under KRS 159.140(3)(b).

Effective: July 15, 2026

History: Created 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 69, sec. 5, effective July 15, 2026.