| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Judiciary Committee | |
SB 6398
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Title: An act relating to fines levied in truancy court actions.
Brief Description: Regarding fines collected in truancy court actions.
Sponsors: Senators Stevens and Hargrove.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/27/08
Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).
Background:
State law regarding school attendance requires children ages 8 to 17 years to attend public
schools unless they fall within certain exceptions, such as attending private school, receiving
home-based instruction, or when the child is 16 years old and meets other specified criteria.
When a child who is required to attend a public school has unexcused absences, the school
district must take steps to eliminate or reduce the child's absences. After a certain number of
unexcused absences, the school district must either: enter into a school attendance agreement
with the student and parent; refer the student to a community truancy board; or file a truancy
petition requesting court intervention or supervision.
The truancy petition may be filed against the child, the parent, or both. A parent may file a
truancy petition if the school district does not file a petition after five unexcused absences in one
month or after 10 unexcused absences in a school year.
A truancy petition is filed in juvenile court. The court may order the child to attend his or her
current school, to attend another public school, or to attend an alternative school or another
educational program. If the child fails to comply with a truancy order, the court may impose
detention or community service on a child who is age eight or older.
The court also may impose a fine on the parent of not more than $25 for each day of the child's
unexcused absence from school. The court may order the parent to provide community
restitution instead of imposing a fine. The court may suspend imposition of the fine if the parent
participates with the school and the child in a supervised plan for the child's school attendance or
if the parent attends a conference or conferences scheduled by the school to analyze the causes of
the child's absence.
Generally, 50 percent of all fines imposed under the mandatory attendance statutes must be
applied to the support of the public schools in the school district where the offense was
committed, unless otherwise specified in statute or unless the district court imposes the fine.
Summary of Bill:
The court must remit 50 percent of the fine collected against a parent under the truancy petition
provisions to the child's school district.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.