Peach Tree Times

The Georgia House of Representatives has passed Senate Bill 123 with bipartisan support. The bill, authored by Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon), aims to address chronic absenteeism in Georgia schools by ensuring students cannot be expelled solely for missing school. It requires local boards of education to adopt policies that identify and support chronically absent students.

“The final passage of Senate Bill 123 is a major victory for students across our state,” said Sen. Kennedy. “Last year alone, nearly 360,000 students missed 10% or more of the school year, missing out on critical opportunities to reach their full potential because they were not in the classroom. Once SB 123 is signed into law, school systems will be better equipped to understand the root causes of absenteeism, intervene earlier, and build a stronger system for recognizing and addressing warning signs. Our goal is to respond to absenteeism fairly and constructively, not punitively, and this legislation is a positive step toward real reform in Georgia’s education system for the benefit of our children.”

Following its approval in both chambers, SB 123 will now proceed to Governor Kemp's desk for signing into law. If enacted, it will require School Climate Committees to create frameworks aimed at improving student attendance and establishing local attendance review teams for individual cases assessment. These committees must report progress to the Georgia General Assembly.

Senator John F. Kennedy represents Georgia's 18th Senate District and serves as President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate.