Georgia May Revoke Licenses of Teens Who Skip School

Georgia teens who repeatedly skip school could lose their driver’s license or learner’s permit under legislation advancing in the state legislature, reports WSB-TV.

The Georgia State Senate overwhelmingly approved the “Every Day Counts Act,” a proposal that would allow the state to revoke driving privileges for students ages 15 to 17 who are classified as “chronically unexcused.” Under the bill, that designation would apply to students with five unexplained absences within the first 50 days of school or who miss 10% of school days after that point. The measure passed the Senate by a vote of 46–1 and now moves to the Georgia House of Representatives, according to Savannah Morning News.

Students labeled chronically absent would also be barred from taking part in school activities such as sports, band, chorus, and drama.

Supporters describe the legislation as a data-driven effort to address truancy and say the penalties would be used only as a last resort if students who are flagged for excessive absences fail to improve their attendance.

If enacted, the law would require the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Department of Driver Services to develop a joint system to track attendance and manage licensing status. It would also encourage school districts across the state to adopt updated attendance policies.