Astoria, Ore. — A new bill under discussion in Oregon seeks to implement truancy fines for parents or guardians of students with excessive unexcused absences. House Bill 2052, currently being considered by state lawmakers, aims to address chronic absenteeism by levying fines against families when children miss eight or more days of school within a four-week period.
The bill’s chief sponsor, Representative Emily McIntire (R-56), emphasized that the goal of the proposed penalties is not to punish parents, but to encourage school attendance for the benefit of students. “The goal isn’t to fine. The goal is to get the kids in school so that they can have the most successful life that they can have,” McIntire explained.
If passed, the bill would classify truancy violations as a Class-C offense, with a maximum fine of $500. However, an amendment to the bill could reduce the penalty by reclassifying the violation as a Class-E offense, potentially lowering the financial impact on parents.
Under the terms of the bill, fines would not be mandatory. Instead, school district superintendents would have the discretion to issue fines based on a student’s attendance record. This approach is intended to act as a last resort, with efforts to address truancy through other means before resorting to financial penalties.
Before issuing a citation, school districts would be required to send a written notice to the student’s parent or guardian in their native language. The notice would inform the family about the student’s unexcused absences, emphasize the importance of school attendance, and alert them to the potential for a fine. Additionally, school districts would need to arrange a conference between the parents and school officials, as well as organize a meeting involving school and community representatives to discuss ways to support the student and improve attendance.
McIntire highlighted that the bill is not only about fines but also about fostering a collaborative environment to help struggling families. “It creates this kind of community support around this family, ’cause that’s the goal,” she said.
Truancy fines were previously abolished in Oregon in 2021 under Senate Bill 817, which eliminated financial penalties for parents of chronically absent students. A proposal to reinstate the fines in 2023, Senate Bill 48, initially suggested fines up to $2,000 for violations. However, the bill was amended to create a task force to study chronic absenteeism and truancy, removing the proposed fines from the legislation. The revised bill ultimately did not pass.
Representative Courtney Neron (D-26), chair of the House Committee on Education, emphasized the importance of considering past discussions about truancy fines. “There was a reason why it was repealed. Those conversations are worth revisiting,” Neron said. “We need to listen to those arguments while also considering what is needed to get kids back into schools.”
Some school districts in Oregon, such as the Umatilla School District, already have policies in place that focus on supporting families rather than imposing fines. Umatilla’s approach includes support groups for families that face attendance challenges. Superintendent Heidi Sipe reported that this model has led to increased family participation in intervention programs and improved student attendance.
“When families and schools partner, students win, and we’ve seen positive improvement in attendance,” Sipe said.
As House Bill 2052 continues to move through the legislative process, it remains to be seen whether Oregon will reinstate truancy fines as part of a broader effort to combat chronic absenteeism in schools. While the bill has received support from some lawmakers, concerns about the potential financial burden on families and the effectiveness of fines remain part of the ongoing debate.
