Senate committee splits over raising truancy penalties; judges and superintendents back stronger enforcement

Senate Bill 19 25 drew split testimony as judges, superintendents and county officials urged the Senate Education Committee to restore enforcement options for chronic unexcused absences while advocates for vulnerable youth asked for guardrails and supports.

The substitute before the committee would require school districts to refer students with 10 or more unexcused absences in a six‑month period to truancy court and give judges authority to issue remedial orders; if students or parents fail to comply, the substitute allows escalation to contempt and potential class‑C criminal proceedings in appropriate cases. The bill keeps truant conduct civil to start but adds a pathway to criminal sanctions for repeated noncompliance with court orders.

Justice of the Peace Katie Hawkins and Montgomery County Justice Wayne Mack, both members of the Justice of the Peace and Constable Association legislative committee, testified the current civil model (since 2015) has produced fewer filings while chronic absenteeism has grown. “Accountability is necessary not only for the school districts but also for the truancy courts and students,” Hawkins said. Mack described local diversion and trauma‑informed efforts in Montgomery County and said stronger tools are needed to compel compliance where preventive efforts fail.

Superintendents said chronic absenteeism has climbed in recent years and harms students’ long‑term outcomes and district finances. "We lose about $7 million for every one percentage point change in the attendance rate," Cy‑Fair ISD superintendent Doug Killian told the committee, and he reported 13,879 students in his district missed 10 or more days in the prior six months while the district filed only eight truancy cases last year. Wylie ISD superintendent David Vincent urged earlier, faster intervention and criticized delays in the current process.

Youth service and homelessness advocates opposed restoring punitive escalation without stronger investments in supports. The Texas Network of Youth Services warned that removing counseling and McKinney‑Vento supports before court referral would harm students experiencing homelessness and violate federal requirements.

Committee action: The committee heard hours of testimony and left the substitute pending for further work. Authors and witnesses said technical changes and guardrails (disability exemptions, McKinney‑Vento protections, diversion alternatives) will be needed if the bill advances.

Sources and context: Senate committee hearing on May 20, 2025; testimony by Justice Katie Hawkins, Judge Wayne Mack, Supts. Doug Killian and David Vincent, and youth services providers.