AN ACT to authorize excused absences from public school for PARTICIPATION in 4‑h activities or programs.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 115C‑379(b) reads as rewritten:

(b)      In addition to any excused absences authorized pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the rules shall require school principals to authorize the following excused absences:

(1)        Religious observance. – A minimum of two excused absences each academic year for religious observances required by the faith of a student or the student's parent or legal guardian.

(2)        Military leave. – A minimum of two excused absences each academic year, if all of the following conditions are met:

a.         The student's parent or legal guardian is an active duty member of the uniformed services, as defined by Article 29B of this Chapter, the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

b.         The student's parent or legal guardian has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or has immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting.

c.         The student is not identified by the local school administrative unit as at risk of academic failure because of unexcused absences.

(3)        4‑H participation. – Excused absences for participation in an activity or program operated by a 4‑H club that has been approved by the county 4‑H educator, subject to the following conditions:

a.         The 4‑H educator shall provide proof of the student's attendance at the activity or program upon request of the student's principal.

b.         The absence shall not be on a day scheduled for the administration of statewide student assessments or end‑of‑grade assessments.

c.         The absence shall not be on a day when the student is subject to disciplinary action and would not otherwise be permitted to attend a school trip or participate in extracurricular activities.

The rules may require that the student's parent or legal guardian give the principal written notice of the request for an excused absence a reasonable time prior to the religious observance or military leave. absence authorized by this subsection. The student shall be given the opportunity to make up any tests or other work missed due to an excused absence for a religious observance or military leave.and shall not have the student's grade adversely affected due to an excused absence authorized by this subsection.

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2024‑2025 school year.