HB 2044 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Addressing unexcused student absences.

HB 2044 revises how unexcused student absences are addressed by school districts, affecting students and their parents. The bill eliminates the requirement for school districts to file truancy petitions before a child's fifth unexcused absence. Instead, after a fifth unexcused absence, districts are directed to enter into an attendance agreement with the parent or child (if age eight or above), either directly or through a community engagement board. Truancy petitions to juvenile court are now generally required only if an attendance agreement is not reached or not complied with, and typically not before the child's 15th unexcused absence in a school year.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Jan 2026

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Jan 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill → Engrossed Bill · 6 edits · Apr 19, 2025

MODERATE

This bill significantly lowers the threshold for truancy intervention from 7 unexcused absences to 5, requiring schools to create attendance agreements or refer students to community boards sooner. It expands the definition of 'school district' to include charter and tribal schools, ensuring these entities are subject to the same truancy laws. The changes aim to address truancy earlier with community-based support rather than waiting for court petitions, while also updating reporting requirements to track these new interventions.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of truancy laws to explicitly include charter schools and state-tribal education compact schools, which were not previously explicitly covered in the same manner as traditional school districts.

REQUIREMENT

The number of unexcused absences triggering mandatory school intervention was reduced from 7 to 5 per month.

Schools must now file truancy petitions later (at 15 absences) rather than earlier (at 7 absences), allowing more time for community-based interventions.

New reporting requirements were added to track attendance agreements entered into directly with parents or through community engagement boards.

SCOPE

Charter schools and state-tribal education compact schools are now explicitly required to follow the same truancy laws and reporting requirements as traditional school districts.

DEFINITION

The term 'school district' in several sections was broadened to include charter schools and tribal schools to ensure uniform application of truancy policies.

ENFORCEMENT

The bill clarifies that community engagement boards do not excuse a school district from its obligation to file a petition if agreements fail or are not reached.

Floor votes · House Apr 19, 2025

How they voted

56–39

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 100

Apr 19, 2025

D Democratic61

56 Yea 3 Nay 2

91% Yea

R Republican39

36 Nay 3

92% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Jan 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Rules Committee relieved of further consideration.

lower

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

lower

Apr 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

upper

Apr 23, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

upper

Apr 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Floor amendment(s) adopted.

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

APP - Majority; do pass.

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.

lower

Apr 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.

lower

Mar 31, 2025

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Mar 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee relieved of further consideration.

lower

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors