Wisconsin tightens rules on who can excuse student absences starting September
A new law in Wisconsin will change who can excuse student absences from school. Starting 1 September, registered nurses will no longer have this authority. The decision follows concerns about consistency in evaluating absences for pupils aged 6 to 18.
Gov. Tony Evers signed the bill after requests from the Wisconsin Association of School Nurses. They highlighted confusion caused by a previous update to the state's absence rules. The new law removes registered nurses from the list of approved professionals who can verify excused absences.
The updated list now includes licensed physicians, naturopathic doctors, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, psychologists, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses. These practitioners are seen as having stronger diagnostic capabilities. Registered nurses, by contrast, usually work under the supervision of higher-credentialed professionals and lack independent diagnostic authority. The change aims to reduce unnecessary classroom disruptions and prevent misuse of excused absences. It also aligns with Wisconsin's new system for licensing Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. The Wisconsin Nurses Association supported the bill, emphasising the need for clearer and more reliable absence evaluations.
The law takes effect on 1 September, restricting excused absences to professionals with advanced diagnostic training. Schools will now rely on a narrower group of healthcare providers to verify student absences. The shift is expected to create more uniform attendance policies across the state.
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