Senate debate ties on parental‑truancy bill; substitute measure fails in 14–14 tie

Senator Anderegg introduced a substitute to S.B. 115 on the Senate floor as the chamber considered how to handle the parental component of truancy law. He said the measure was intended as a companion to the juvenile‑justice reform bill discussed in the House and would remove criminal penalties for parents when the student‑side reform passed; the substitute retained a fallback approach if that companion bill did not advance.

The bill prompted sustained questioning from senators including Senator Weiner and Senator Weiler about practical enforcement and what sanctions would remain available in cases where a parent kept a child out of school for an improper motive. Senator Weiner asked whether a parent who kept a child home to work could avoid consequences; the sponsor and others replied that existing remedies — including referral to Child Protective Services or local authorities — would remain available and that a fallback House/compromise bill would preserve phased sanctions (infraction first, then class C misdemeanor) if the companion juvenile bill failed.

After floor discussion and summation, the Senate proceeded to a roll‑call vote. The substitute S.B. 115 resulted in a tie that the clerk reported as a 14–14 vote; under Senate rules that result meant the measure failed and was filed with staff. Following the tie vote, senators discussed procedural options: Senator Hilliard, having voted on the prevailing side, requested the body hold the bill for 24 hours to allow further consideration; senators also asked to make notation requests and discussed the mechanics for moving to reconsider under chamber rules.

No final change of the recorded outcome was announced on the floor during the session; the bill remained failed as recorded and options for reconsideration were framed under Senate procedure.