Indiana parents should prepare for significant changes to school attendance rules starting July 1, 2025. Under Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 482, new guidelines will determine how student absences are counted and reported, and some changes may come as a surprise.
The updated law makes a clear distinction between activities that will not count as absences and those that will be excused but still recorded as missed days.
Attendance Activities That Will Not Count as Absences
Students will be considered “present” for the following activities, provided proper documentation is submitted:
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Serving as a page or honoree at the Indiana Statehouse
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Participating in Election Day activities
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Being subpoenaed to court
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Active military duty (15+ days per year)
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Approved participation in 4-H, FFA, or Indiana State Fair events
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Pre-approved school-sponsored educational activities
Excused but Still Counted as Absent
Certain situations will be excused under school policy but will still be recorded as absences under the new law:
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Illness (physical or mental) with a parent’s call or doctor’s note
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Family emergencies or the death of a loved one
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Pre-planned family vacations
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Recognized religious holidays
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Unexpected events such as weather, lack of transportation, or nurse dismissals
Officials caution that families will need to monitor absence totals closely to avoid potential truancy issues.
Forgery of Doctor’s Notes a Felony
Under Indiana law, forging a medical excuse is a Level 6 felony. Penalties can range from six months to two and a half years in prison, with a potential fine of up to $10,000.
In one case, the Vanderburgh Superior Court reported receiving a forged note claiming “Exposure to COVID” as a reason for absence. The signature appeared to be from a local nurse practitioner but was confirmed as falsified. Authorities treated the incident as a felony offense.
State education officials say the changes aim to bring greater consistency to attendance records while ensuring legitimate activities are not penalized.