FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 6570

                           C 61 L 00

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Providing additional judicial authority in truancy petitions.

Sponsors:  Senators Hargrove, Costa and Long.

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

House Committee on Education

Background:  Under Washington=s compulsory school attendance law, a truancy petition may be filed against a child for failing to attend school.  Juvenile courts hearing truancy petitions may order a truant minor to meet court imposed obligations listed in RCW 28A.225.090.

Summary:  The authority granted to juvenile courts hearing truancy petitions is broadened.

Juvenile courts may set minimum school attendance requirements, including the authority to deal with suspensions.  This allows courts to treat school suspensions as unexcused absences.

Juvenile courts are granted explicit authority to order a minor, who has tested positive to drug or alcohol use, to abstain from further use of controlled substances and alcohol at no expense to the minor=s school.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 420

House970(House amended)

Senate 431(Senate concurred)

Effective:June 8, 2000