HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                 HB  1938

Title:  An act relating to truancy provisions.

Brief Description:  Affecting truancy provisions for students who change school districts or move to another county.

Sponsors:  Representatives Carrell, Clements, Boldt, Talcott, Lambert, Campbell, Pflug and Delvin.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Meeting Date:  February 22, 1999.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Charlie Gavigan (786-7340).

Background:  If a child has the responsibility but fails to attend school without justification, the school must take certain actions, including notifying the parent, scheduling a parent conference, and other steps to reduce the child's absences.  If the efforts of the school and the parents do not reduce the child's absences, the school district must file a truancy petition with the juvenile court no later than the seventh  unexcused absence in a month or the 10th unexcused absence during a school year.  The petition may be filed against the child, the parent, or both.  If the juvenile court schedules a hearing on the petition, it must notify the child and the parent that the hearing will take place, that the child and parent can present evidence at the hearing, and that the child and parent have options under the Family Reconciliation Act.

If the court finds that actions of the school district have not reduced the child's absences and that court intervention is necessary to reduce the absences, the court must grant the petition and assume jurisdiction over the child for the remainder of the school year.  The court may order the child to attend school or an alternative school or education program. 

Summary of Bill:  When a child transfers from one school district to another, the receiving school district must honor the attendance record, including unexcused absences,  accumulated at the previous district.  If a child who is subject to a truancy petition on one county moves to another county, the court in the receiving county, upon request of a school district or parent, assume jurisdiction of the truancy petition.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.