ARIZONA STATE SENATE

MASON HOLLER

LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH ANALYST

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Telephone: (602) 926-3171

RESEARCH STAFF

TO:                  MEMBERS OF THE SENATE

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

DATE:            February 16, 2026

SUBJECT:      Strike everything amendment to S.B. 1004, relating to school attendance

Purpose

Exempts a student's absences from being considered excessive if the student meets specified characteristic requirements.

Background

Each child who is between 6 and 16 years old must attend a school and be provided instruction in at least the subjects of reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science. A person is excused from the requirements relating to attending school if the child: 1) is in such physical or mental condition that instruction is inexpedient or impracticable; 2) completed the high school course of study necessary for completion of grade 10; 3) has presented reasons for nonattendance that are satisfactory to the school principal or principal's designee; 4) is older than 14 years old and is employed at a lawful wage earning occupation; 5) is enrolled in an approved work training, career and technical, vocational or mutual training program; 6) was suspended as outlined or expelled from a public school; or 7) is enrolled in an education program provided by a state educational or other institution (A.R.S. § 15-802).

Statute deems it unlawful for any child who is between 6 and 16 years old to fail to attend school during the hours school is in session, unless the child: 1) meets one of the outlined conditions for excusal from the requirement to attend school; 2) is accompanied by a parent or person authorized by a parent; or 3) provided with instruction in a homeschool. Absences may be considered excessive when the number of absent days exceeds 10 percent of the number of required attendance days (A.R.S. § 15-803).

Homeless children or youth means individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and includes children and youth who: 1) share the housing of other persons or live in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds; 2) have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation; 3) live in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations or other similar settings; or 4) are migratory children (42 U.S.C. § 11434a).

Migratory child means a child or youth who made a qualifying move in the preceding 36 months: 1) as a migratory agricultural worker or migratory fisher; or 2) with, or to join, a parent or spouse who is a migratory agricultural worker or migratory fisher (20 U.S.C. § 6399).

If the excusal of absences for specified purposes alters a school district's or charter school's average daily membership calculation, there may be a fiscal impact to the state General Fund.

Provisions

1. Specifies that absences may be considered excessive when the number of absent days exceeds 10 percent of the number of required attendance days, unless a child:

a) is enrolled in a career and technical education district;

b) is enrolled in an alternative school, including enrollment in a dropout recovery program that is provided by an alternative school or alternative charter school;

c) participates in Arizona Online Instruction;

d) is a preschool child;

e) is a homeless child or youth;

f) is homebound;

g) is a pupil with a chronic health problem;

h) is in foster care;

i) is a migratory child; or

j) meets the income eligibility requirements for the Free and Reduced-Priced Lunch Program.

2. Makes technical and conforming changes.

3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.