Why 3/5: It establishes a new student right and a corresponding operational requirement for school divisions regarding attendance.
Schools will be required to grant up to five excused absences for students to visit immediate family members who are deploying, on leave from deployment, or returning from deployment outside the U.S. This change provides specific rights to students from military families, ensuring they can spend time with loved ones during critical deployment periods without academic penalty.
Update
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Third reading
Read third time
Amendment adopted
Committee amendment agreed to (Voice Vote)
Update
Engrossed by Senate as amended
Passed a chamber
Passed Senate with amendment Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Amendment adopted
Senate amendment agreed to by House (95-Y 0-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Enrolled
Passed a chamber
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB653ER)
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Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB653)
This bill has passed its votes and is headed to the Governor's desk. You still have a say — the Governor's office reads messages before deciding whether to sign.
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Summarized from the official bill text (“Excused student absences; visitation of immediate family members on active duty military, etc.”) · Read the actual bill →
Passed a chamber
Signed by President
Passed a chamber
Signed by Speaker
Enrolled
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
Sent to the Governor
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 193 (effective 7/1/2026)
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Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0193)