FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5118

                           C 68 L 97

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Changing school truancy petition provisions.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Hargrove, Winsley, Long and Sheldon).

Senate Committee on Education

House Committee on Education

Background:  As part of the 1995 "Becca Bill" (C 312 L 95), the Legislature enacted provisions that require schools to file a petition in juvenile court when a student accumulates at least five unexcused absences in a month, or ten unexcused absences in a year.  If the allegations in the truancy petition are established by a preponderance of the evidence, the court must assume jurisdiction to intervene for the remainder of the school year.  The court may order the student to attend school, or be referred to a community truancy board.  If the student fails to comply with the court's order, the court can impose a variety of sanctions, including detention, fines, or community service.

Summary:  The length of the court's jurisdiction over a truant student is changed from the end of the school year to a period of time necessary to cause the student to return and remain in school.  The list of actions that a court may order for a student subject to a truancy petition is expanded to include requiring that the student submit to drug or alcohol testing.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 46 0

House     98 0

Effective:  July 27, 1997