Excused absence-state fair events.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text do not provide specific details on organizations that promote youth agriculture education, only mentioning nationally recognized ones.

Excused Absences for State Fair Events

This law changes the definition of excused absences to include events related to youth agricultural education and participation in the state fair.

What This Bill Does

• Changes the definition of an excused absence to include programming or competitions sponsored by nationally recognized organizations and clubs that promote youth agriculture education.
• Allows students who are exhibitors at the annual state fair to be considered as participating in a district co-curricular activity program, making their absences excused.
• Requires local school boards to define 'unexcused absence', 'habitual truant' and 'willful absenteeism'.

Who It Names or Affects

• Students in K-12 public schools.
• Local school boards that set attendance rules.

Terms To Know

Excused absence

A day a student misses school for a reason the school considers acceptable, like being sick or participating in an approved event.

Co-curricular activity program

Activities that are part of school life but not required classes, such as sports teams or clubs.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law only applies to K-12 public schools.
• School districts can still ask for proof if they doubt the reason for an absence.

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 23LSO-0646
Bill No.:

HB0175

Effective:

7/1/2023

LSO No.:

23LSO-0646

Enrolled Act No.:

HEA No. 0026

Chapter No.:

47

Prime Sponsor:

Strock

Catch Title:

Excused absence-state fair events.

Subject:

Schools - modification of the definition of excused absence.

Summary/Major Elements:

This act modifies the definition of excused absence for K-12 public schools to include programming or competitions sponsored by nationally recognized organizations and clubs that promote youth agriculture education and for events associated with participating in the annual state fair.

The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

23LSO-0646

ORIGINAL House

Bill No
.
HB0175

ENROLLED ACT NO. 26,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2023 General Session

AN ACT relating to student attendance; modifying the duties of local boards of trustees; modifying excused absences for events associated with the state fair; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.

W.S. 21
‑
3
‑
110(a)(xxxix) is amended to read:

21
‑
3
‑
110.

Duties of boards of trustees.

(a)

The board of trustees in each school district shall:

(xxxix)

Define "unexcused absence", "habitual truant" and "willful absenteeism" for all students who are attending public schools and establish rules regarding student attendance. For purposes of this paragraph, an absence preapproved by the district or an absence due to an illness, injury or the health care needs of the student or a death or serious illness in the student's family shall not constitute an unexcused absence. Students participating in
programming or competitions sponsored by nationally recognized organizations and clubs that promote youth agricultural education,
the annual state fair held under W.S. 11
‑
10
‑
101 as an exhibitor
or events associated with participation in the annual state fair
shall be considered as participating in a district cocurricular activity program and the student's absence shall be defined by the board as an excused absence. Nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit a school district from requesting verification of the reasons for an absence.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2023
.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

1