School attendance mandated to a local welfare agency, habitual truant definition modified, and money appropriated for grants to fund child welfare response efforts.

HF 1604 requires schools to report students with seven or more unexcused absences in a school year to local welfare agencies, directly affecting students and families facing chronic absenteeism. The bill modifies the definition of "habitual truant" to include children under 12 with seven unexcused absences (with specific rebuttal conditions) and mandates welfare agencies to provide tailored support services to address attendance concerns. It appropriates funds for fiscal years 2026-2027 to grant local welfare agencies resources for child welfare response programs focused on improving school attendance. These changes aim to connect school attendance issues with child welfare services through mandated reporting and targeted funding.