ATLANTA — The Georgia Senate has approved legislation aimed at cracking down on chronic absenteeism in public schools, including a provision that could prevent some students from getting or keeping a driver’s license if they repeatedly skip class.
Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to pass Senate Bill 513, known as the “Every Day Counts Act,” sending the proposal to the Georgia House of Representatives for further consideration. The measure passed the Senate 46–1, with only one vote in opposition.
The bill is designed to address what lawmakers say is a growing problem of students missing large numbers of school days. Under the proposal, students ages 15 to 17 who accumulate too many unexcused absences could face several penalties, including losing eligibility for extracurricular activities and potentially having their driver’s license or learner’s permit revoked or delayed.
Supporters of the legislation say the goal is to encourage students to attend class and improve academic outcomes across the state. The measure would require school districts to identify students at risk of chronic absenteeism and develop intervention plans involving parents and school officials before penalties are applied.
Under the proposal, a student could be considered chronically unexcused if they miss more than five days without an excuse during the first 50 days of school, or if they miss 10% of the school year overall.
If the bill becomes law, the Georgia Department of Education and the Department of Driver Services would work together to establish procedures for limiting driving privileges for students who continue to miss class after intervention efforts.
Lawmakers backing the measure argue that linking privileges such as driving and sports participation to attendance could motivate students to stay engaged in school. State data cited during legislative discussions shows a significant number of Georgia students missed more than 15 days of school in recent years, a trend educators say can harm academic performance and graduation rates.
For communities across Georgia, the legislation could affect families, school systems and teen drivers if it becomes law. School districts may need to implement new attendance monitoring systems and intervention plans, while students who rely on driving for part-time jobs, extracurricular activities or transportation could face additional consequences for repeated absences.
The bill now moves to the Georgia House of Representatives, where lawmakers will decide whether to approve, amend or reject the proposal before it could be sent to the governor’s desk.
