WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION EHB 2044

HB 2044: Unexcused student absences

Addressing unexcused student absences.

Summary

  • Requires school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools, after a child's fifth unexcused absence in any month, to attempt to reduce the absences through an attendance agreement before filing a truancy petition with the juvenile court.
  • Modifies truancy related requirements applicable to school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools, community engagement boards, and the courts.

From the Engrossed Senate Bill Report (EHB 2044), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed House, stalled in Senate
  1. IntroducedMar 24, 2025
  2. Out of committeeApr 8, 2025
  3. Passed HouseApr 19, 2025
  4. Passed Senatestopped here
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Timm Ormsby (D-3)
Introduced
March 24, 2025 in the House
Last action
January 12, 2026
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
HB 2044, EHB 2044

AN ACT Relating to addressing unexcused student absences by eliminating truancy petition requirements, while maintaining options for community engagement boards;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Timm Ormsby (D-3)

3 co-sponsors (3 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Lisa Parshley D-22Nicole Macri D-43Mia Gregerson D-33

Votes

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed April 19, 2025
Version voted on: EHB 2044
55 Yea 38 Nay 0 Absent 5 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat55202
Republican03603
How each member voted

Yea (55)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Referred to Appropriations. (EHB 2044)
  2. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. (EHB 2044)
  3. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (EHB 2044)
  4. By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading. (EHB 2044)
  5. First reading, referred to Ways & Means. (EHB 2044)
  6. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (EHB 2044)
  7. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (EHB 2044)
  8. Third reading, passed; yeas, 55; nays, 38; absent, 0; excused, 5. (EHB 2044)
  9. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (EHB 2044)
  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (EHB 2044)
  11. APP - Executive action taken by committee. (EHB 2044)
  12. Minority; do not pass. (EHB 2044)
  13. APP - Majority; do pass. (EHB 2044)
  14. Referred to Appropriations. (EHB 2044)
  15. Committee relieved of further consideration. (EHB 2044)
  16. First reading, referred to Education. (EHB 2044)

HB 2044 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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