2798‑S2.E AMS HOCH 24

E2SHB 2798 - S AMD TO S AMD (S5932.3)  541

            BySenator Hochstatter

            On page 17, after line 20 of the amendment, after "counseling. "insert the following:

                                                        "PART IX: LEARNFARE

NEW SECTION. Sec. 30. A new section is added to chapter 74.04 RCW to

read as follows:

            As a condition of receiving aid to families with dependent children

benefits, parents are ultimately responsible and shall be held

accountable for their children's school attendance from kindergarten

through sixth grade.  If a student violates the state's truancy laws

during a specified school quarter, the department in consultation with

school board, shall require that the parents and the child be assigned

to community service for no less than five hours per violation. 

If the parents or the child do not complete community service, the

families grant shall be reduced by $25 per violation.  The department

shall establish penalties, sanctions or termination of benefits for

additional violations.  The superintendent of public instruction and

secretary of social and health services  shall establish a process for

the sharing of information pertaining to student attendance records."

                                                                       --END--

EFFECT:  Penalizes recipients whose K-6 children are truant from school by requiring community service or reduction in monthly grant.