Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy has announced the formation of a Senate Study Committee focused on addressing chronic absenteeism in Georgia schools. The committee aims to investigate the causes of absenteeism and propose effective solutions.
Kennedy, who introduced Senate Bill 123 during the 2025 legislative session, will chair the study committee. He expressed gratitude to Lieutenant Governor Jones for prioritizing education and supporting efforts to tackle absenteeism. “Thanks to his support, this new study committee will help us dig deeper into the root causes of absenteeism and ensure we’re doing everything we can to keep Georgia students connected to their classroom and on track to succeed,” Kennedy stated.
Senate Bill 123, signed into law on April 28, 2025, is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. The bill mandates School Climate Committees in each district to create frameworks for improving student attendance and establishes local attendance review teams for individual cases. These committees are required to report their progress to both the Georgia General Assembly and the Georgia Department of Education.
Details about committee membership and meeting schedules will be provided soon.
For further information regarding Senate Bill 123 or media inquiries, contact details have been made available.
