House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 2nd edition.

Deletes all of the previous provisions. Changes the long and short titles, and now provides the following.

Enacts GS 115C-382.5 to encourage local boards of education to adopt a student attendance recognition program within the local school administrative unit. Provides that, if a local board of education adopts a student attendance recognition program, a student with an absence resulting from service as a legislative page or a governor's page is eligible for participation in the program, and the absence cannot be included as part of the student's record of attendance for purposes of this program. Applies beginning with the 2017-18 school year.

Amends GS 143B-1226, concerning the classes of eligibility for children of veterans under which higher education scholarships administered by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (Department) can be awarded. Adds to subdivision (3), setting out Class II, and subdivision (4), setting out Class III, providing that for the purposes of each subdivision, a child includes any person meeting either the requirements set forth in GS 143B-1224(3)a or b, and who is a child as defined in 37 USC 401.

Directs the Department to document the number of applicants who apply for Class II and Class III scholarships under GS 143B-1226. Directs the Department to report this information to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on General Government by March 30, 2018, including the total number of applications received and the total number of those applications made eligible as a result of the changes included in this act.