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>> A new state law House Bill, 611 requires Kentucky students with 15 or more unexcused absences to be referred to the county attorneys office.

Officials in Jefferson County discussed that law and what it means for students.

>> When a student is chronically absent the likelihood of them being proficient in reading and math drops dramatically.

Chronic absenteeism is a crisis across this nation right now.

It is not just a Jefferson County problem.

It's not just a Kentucky problem.

It is across this nation.

But in the state of Kentucky and the chronic absenteeism is missing.

10% of the school days.

So we have approximately 175 school day.

So you're talking about 17 and a half school days missed.

So anyone who misses over 17 school days, a cumulative.

And that includes minutes added up for being late or early dismissals means that a student is chronically absent.

Our schools have robust systems in place right now that we are working.

We have grown these over time.

They include dedicated attendance teams, each school as a team focused on monitoring student attendance, counseling and mental health services.

We offer access to counselors, social workers, mental health professionals that are present at every school.

This communication with my office could provide an additional check in many instances.

We anticipate finding absences that are understandable, say for medical reasons or other reasons but have not been documented.

I want to be clear.

An excuse absences occur when the school is not told.

The reason for students absence or when an absent doesn't meet the criteria from the Kentucky Department of Education for being excused.

Neither my office are JCPS System wishes to prosecute anyone.

We simply want your child to receive the education that all children deserve in instances where guardians continue.

To be unwilling.

To accept support services or are unresponsive.

JCPS will then consider filing an affidavit against the Guardian.

For possible prosecution for my office under the offense of unlawful transaction with a minor in the 3rd degree.

This is a class, A misdemeanor which is punishable by up to 365 days in jail or up to $500 fine or both.

>> The attorneys office will start sending letters to families whose children in grades kindergarten through 5 are chronically absent this month, law dictates that students in grades 6 through 12 or go through the court designated worker program.