Proposal relaxing school attendance laws clears House

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky lawmakers are advancing legislation that would relax school attendance laws due to widespread school closures caused by winter storms.

The proposal was attached to an education bill that cleared the House on Wednesday. The measure heads to the Senate for consideration.

Under the proposal, school districts unable to reach the threshold of 1,062 instructional hours for the school term by June 5 — even after maximizing instructional time — could seek a waiver from the state education commissioner. That action would waive the remaining required hours.

Supporters said it recognizes hardships for some districts in dealing with recent snowstorms. Education officials say some eastern Kentucky districts have missed more than 20 days this year.

Critics say the plan will deprive affected students of important instructional time.

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The legislation is Senate Bill 119.