County Judge Bob Hebert, along with Sugar Land Mayor James Thompson, recently appointed a countywide truancy policy committee.

The 84th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 2398, which imposed a requirement on all counties that have two or more courts hearing truancy cases, and two or more school districts, to appoint a committee for the purposes of recommending uniform processes and procedures for truancy cases.

According to the bill, the county judge and mayor of the municipality in the county with the largest population are responsible for forming the committee.

The committee held its first policy meeting Jan. 12. The committee is expected to submit its policy recommendation by May.

“While there is no mandate for adoption by the school districts to adopt this policy, it is my understanding that the policy will be submitted to the Legislature in the next session as they consider a statewide mandate for truancy,” Hebert said.