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Committee backs bill to let FINS (truancy) records follow students who move across counties
Summary
HB1809 would permit Families in Need of Services (FINS) records and notifications to transfer across county lines so schools and prosecutors can follow students with chronic absenteeism; presenters said the change helps get services to families who move between districts.
Representative Richard Womack presented HB1809 and introduced Shannon Prince, a principal, to describe why FINS transferability matters. Prince recounted a case where a family moved across multiple counties and required several separate FINS filings before receiving effective services. "It took three FINS to finally get that family help," she said, explaining that lack of cross-county notifications can delay interventions.
Committee members asked about the trigger for FINS and whether the change would affect penalties such as driving-privilege revocations for older students. Prince and Representative Womack said standard district policies and prosecuting attorneys handle sanctions; Department of Education witness Johnny Key said the department does not handle licensing or juvenile sanction decisions and those remain in the purview of local prosecutors.
The committee, noting no fiscal impact reported, voted to pass the bill. Sponsors said the goal is administrative continuity so students get timely interventions regardless of county lines.
