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H.B. 207 Enrolled

             1     

SCHOOL TRUANCY AND COMPULSORY

             2     
EDUCATION AMENDMENTS

             3     
2007 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Eric K. Hutchings

             6     
Senate Sponsor: Carlene M. Walker

             7      Cosponsor:Keith Grover              8     
             9      LONG TITLE
             10      General Description:
             11          This bill amends provisions related to compulsory education and truancy.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This bill:
             14          .    defines terms;
             15          .    directs a local school board, local charter board, or school district to preapprove an
             16      extended absence of a school-age minor if it is determined that the absence will not
             17      adversely impact the school-age minor's education;
             18          .    describes compulsory education requirements relating to school-age minors;
             19          .    provides for the service of a notice of compulsory education violation on a parent or
             20      guardian of a school-age child who is less than 14 years old if the child has been
             21      absent without a valid excuse at least five times during the school year;
             22          .    makes it a class B misdemeanor for a parent or guardian to intentionally or
             23      recklessly:
             24              .    fail to enroll the parent's school-age minor in school, unless the school-age
             25      minor is exempt from enrollment; or
             26              .    after being served with a notice of compulsory education violation, fail to meet
             27      and discuss a school-age child's school attendance problems with school
             28      authorities or fail to prevent a school-age child from being truant five or more
             29      times during the remainder of the school year;


             30          .    provides for juvenile court jurisdiction of habitual truant proceedings and
             31      compulsory education violations;
             32          .    establishes school attendance requirements for a school-age minor;
             33          .    provides for the issuance of a notice of truancy to a school-age minor who is at least
             34      12 years old and has been truant at least five times during the school year;
             35          .    establishes a procedure for resolving truancy problems of a school-age minor who is
             36      at least 12 years old;
             37          .    modifies and describes requirements for proceedings on, and the issuance of,
             38      citations and notices relating to truancy;
             39          .    removes provisions permitting the issuance of a truancy citation, except for a
             40      habitual truant citation;
             41          .    provides that a notice of truancy or a habitual truant citation may only be issued by a
             42      school administrator or truancy specialist authorized by a local school board, local
             43      charter board, or by the school administrator's designee;
             44          .    modifies and describes the duties of a local school board, local charter board, or
             45      school district for attempting to resolve a minor's school attendance problems;
             46          .    clarifies civil liability limitations relating to compulsory education and truancy;
             47          .    changes the term "truancy officer" to "truancy specialist"; and
             48          .    makes technical changes.
             49      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             50          None
             51      Other Special Clauses:
             52          None
             53      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             54      AMENDS:
             55          35A-3-304, as last amended by Chapter 29, Laws of Utah 2004
             56          53A-11-101, as last amended by Chapter 99, Laws of Utah 1999
             57          53A-11-102, as last amended by Chapter 253, Laws of Utah 2005


             58          53A-11-102.5, as last amended by Chapter 221, Laws of Utah 2003
             59          53A-11-103, as last amended by Chapter 221, Laws of Utah 2003
             60          53A-11-104, as enacted by Chapter 2, Laws of Utah 1988
             61          53A-11-105, as last amended by Chapter 99, Laws of Utah 1999
             62          53A-11-106, as enacted by Chapter 337, Laws of Utah 1997
             63          62A-2-108.1, as last amended by Chapter 188, Laws of Utah 2005
             64          62A-4a-606, as last amended by Chapter 10, Laws of Utah 1997
             65          78-3a-801, as last amended by Chapter 249, Laws of Utah 1999
             66      ENACTS:
             67          53A-11-101.3, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             68          53A-11-101.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             69          53A-11-101.7, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             70     
             71      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             72          Section 1. Section 35A-3-304 is amended to read:
             73           35A-3-304. Assessment -- Participation requirements and limitations -- Mentors.
             74          (1) (a) Within 20 business days of the date of enrollment, a parent client shall:
             75          (i) be assigned an employment counselor; and
             76          (ii) complete an assessment provided by the division regarding the parent client's:
             77          (A) family circumstances;
             78          (B) education;
             79          (C) work history;
             80          (D) skills; and
             81          (E) ability to become self-sufficient.
             82          (b) The assessment provided under Subsection (1)(a)(ii) shall include a survey to be
             83      completed by the parent client with the assistance of the division.
             84          (2) (a) Within 15 business days of a parent client completing an assessment, the
             85      division and the parent client shall enter into an employment plan.


             86          (b) The employment plan shall have a target date for entry into employment.
             87          (c) The division shall provide a copy of the employment plan to the parent client.
             88          (d) As to the parent client, the plan may include:
             89          (i) job searching requirements;
             90          (ii) if the parent client does not have a high school diploma, participation in an
             91      educational program to obtain a high school diploma, or its equivalent;
             92          (iii) education or training necessary to obtain employment;
             93          (iv) a combination of work and education or training;
             94          (v) assisting the Office of Recovery Services in good faith to:
             95          (A) establish the paternity of a minor child; and
             96          (B) establish or enforce a child support order; and
             97          (vi) if the parent client is a drug dependent person as defined in Section 58-37-2 ,
             98      participation in available treatment for drug dependency and progress toward overcoming that
             99      dependency.
             100          (e) As to the division, the plan may include:
             101          (i) providing cash and other types of public and employment assistance, including child
             102      care;
             103          (ii) assisting the parent client to obtain education or training necessary for employment;
             104          (iii) assisting the parent client to set up and follow a household budget; and
             105          (iv) assisting the parent client to obtain employment.
             106          (f) The division may amend the employment plan to reflect new information or
             107      changed circumstances.
             108          (g) If immediate employment is an activity contained in the employment plan the
             109      parent client shall:
             110          (i) promptly commence a search for a specified number of hours each week for
             111      employment; and
             112          (ii) regularly submit a report to the division on:
             113          (A) how time was spent in search for a job;


             114          (B) the number of job applications completed;
             115          (C) the interviews attended;
             116          (D) the offers of employment extended; and
             117          (E) other related information required by the division.
             118          (h) (i) If full-time education or training to secure employment is an activity contained
             119      in an employment plan, the parent client shall promptly undertake a full-time education or
             120      training program.
             121          (ii) The employment plan may describe courses, education or training goals, and
             122      classroom hours.
             123          (i) (i) As a condition of receiving cash assistance under this part, a parent client shall
             124      agree to make a good faith effort to comply with the employment plan.
             125          (ii) If a parent client consistently fails to show good faith in complying with the
             126      employment plan, the division may seek under Subsection (2)(i)(iii) to terminate all or part of
             127      the cash assistance services provided under this part.
             128          (iii) The division shall establish a process to reconcile disputes between a client and the
             129      division as to whether:
             130          (A) the parent client has made a good faith effort to comply with the employment plan;
             131      or
             132          (B) the division has complied with the employment plan.
             133          (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), a parent client's participation in
             134      education or training beyond that required to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent is
             135      limited to the lesser of:
             136          (i) 24 months; or
             137          (ii) the completion of the education and training requirements of the employment plan.
             138          (b) A parent client may participate in education or training for up to six months beyond
             139      the 24-month limit of Subsection (3)(a)(i) if:
             140          (i) the parent client is employed for 80 or more hours a month; and
             141          (ii) the extension is for good cause shown and approved by the director.


             142          (c) A parent client who receives an extension under Subsection (3)(b) remains subject
             143      to Subsection (4).
             144          (4) (a) A parent client with a high school diploma or equivalent who has received 24
             145      months of education or training shall participate in full-time work activities.
             146          (b) The 24 months need not be continuous and the department may define "full-time
             147      work activities" by rule.
             148          (5) As a condition for receiving cash assistance on behalf of a minor child under this
             149      part, the minor child must be:
             150          (a) enrolled in and attending school in compliance with [Section 53A-11-101 ] Sections
             151      53A-11-101.5 and 53A-11-101.7 ; or
             152          (b) exempt from school attendance under Section 53A-11-102 .
             153          (6) This section does not apply to a person who has received diversion assistance under
             154      Section 35A-3-303 .
             155          (7) (a) The division shall recruit and train volunteers to serve as mentors for parent
             156      clients.
             157          (b) A mentor may advocate on behalf of a parent client and help a parent client:
             158          (i) develop life skills;
             159          (ii) implement an employment plan; or
             160          (iii) obtain services and supports from:
             161          (A) the volunteer mentor;
             162          (B) the division; or
             163          (C) civic organizations.
             164          Section 2. Section 53A-11-101 is amended to read:
             165           53A-11-101. Definitions.
             166          [(1)] For purposes of this part:
             167          (1) (a) "Absence" or "absent" means, consistent with Subsection (1)(b), failure of a
             168      school-age minor assigned to a class or class period to attend the entire class or class period.
             169          (b) A school-age minor may not be considered absent under this part more than one


             170      time during one day.
             171          [(a)] (2) "Habitual truant" [is] means a school-age minor who [has received more than
             172      two truancy citations within one school year from the school in which the minor is or should be
             173      enrolled and eight absences without a legitimate or valid excuse or who, in defiance of]:
             174          (a) is at least 12 years old;
             175          (b) is subject to the requirements of Section 53A-11-101.5 ; and
             176          (c) (i) is truant at least ten times during one school year; or
             177          (ii) fails to cooperate with efforts on the part of school authorities to resolve [a
             178      student's] the minor's attendance problem as required under Section 53A-11-103 [, refuses to
             179      regularly attend school or any scheduled period of the school day].
             180          [(b)] (3) "Minor" means a person under the age of 18 years.
             181          [(c)] (4) "Parent" includes:
             182          [(i)] (a) a custodial parent of the minor;
             183          [(ii)] (b) a legally appointed guardian of a minor; or
             184          [(iii)] (c) any other person purporting to exercise any authority over the minor which
             185      could be exercised by [persons listed under Subsections (1)(c)(i) and (ii) above] a person
             186      described in Subsection (4)(a) or (b).
             187          [(d)] (5) "School-age minor" means a minor who [has reached the age of]:
             188          (a) is at least six years old, but [has not reached the age of eighteen] younger than 18
             189      years[, but does not include a minor] old; and
             190          (b) is not emancipated [by marriage].
             191          [(e) "Truancy citation" is an administrative notice to a truant minor requiring an
             192      appearance before the school truancy control officer or body from which the minor is truant.]
             193          (6) "School year" means the period of time designated by a local school board or local
             194      charter board as the school year for the school where the school-age minor:
             195          (a) is enrolled; or
             196          (b) should be enrolled, if the school-age minor is not enrolled in school.
             197          (7) "Truant" means absent without a valid excuse.


             198          [(f)] (8) "Truant minor" [is any] means a school-age minor who:
             199          (a) is subject to the [state's compulsory education law] requirements of Section
             200      53A-11-101.5 or 53A-11-101.7 ; and [who is absent from school without a legitimate or valid
             201      excuse.]
             202          (b) is truant.
             203          (9) "Valid excuse" means:
             204          (a) an illness;
             205          (b) a family death;
             206          (c) an approved school activity;
             207          (d) an absence permitted by a school-age minor's:
             208          (i) individualized education program, developed pursuant to the Individuals with
             209      Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, as amended; or
             210          (ii) accommodation plan, developed pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
             211      of 1973, as amended; or
             212          (e) any other excuse established as valid by a local school board, local charter board, or
             213      school district.
             214          [(2) A parent shall enroll and send a school-age minor to a public or regularly
             215      established private school during the school year of the district in which the minor resides.]
             216          [(3) It is a class B misdemeanor for a parent to knowingly:]
             217          [(a) fail to enroll a school-age minor in school; or]
             218          [(b) refuse to respond to a written request which is delivered to the parent pursuant to
             219      the provisions of Subsection 53A-11-103 (1)(b) by a local school board or school district.]
             220          [(4) The provisions of this section do not apply to a parent of a school-age minor who
             221      has been declared by the local school board to be exempt from school attendance in conformity
             222      with Section 53A-11-102 .]
             223          [(5) A local board of education or school district shall report violations of Subsection
             224      (3) to the appropriate city, county, or district attorney.]
             225          Section 3. Section 53A-11-101.3 is enacted to read:


             226          53A-11-101.3. Preapproval of extended absence.
             227          In determining whether to preapprove an extended absence of a school-age minor as a
             228      valid excuse under Subsection 53A-11-101 (9)(e), a local school board, local charter board, or
             229      school district shall approve the absence if the local school board, local charter board, or school
             230      district determines that the extended absence will not adversely impact the school-age minor's
             231      education.
             232          Section 4. Section 53A-11-101.5 is enacted to read:
             233          53A-11-101.5. Compulsory education.
             234          (1) For purposes of this section:
             235          (a) "intentionally" is as defined in Section 76-2-103 ;
             236          (b) "recklessly" is as defined in Section 76-2-103 ;
             237          (c) "remainder of the school year" means the portion of the school year beginning on
             238      the day after the day on which the notice of compulsory education violation described in
             239      Subsection (3) is served and ending on the last day of the school year; and
             240          (d) "school-age child" means a school-age minor under the age of 14.
             241          (2) Except as provided in Section 53A-11-102 or 53A-11-102.5 , the parent of a
             242      school-age minor shall enroll and send the school-age minor to a public or regularly established
             243      private school during the school year of the district in which the school-age minor resides.
             244          (3) A school administrator, a designee of a school administrator, or a truancy specialist
             245      may issue a notice of compulsory education violation to a parent of a school-age child if the
             246      school-age child is absent without a valid excuse at least five times during the school year.
             247          (4) The notice of compulsory education violation, described in Subsection (3):
             248          (a) shall direct the parent of the school-age child to:
             249          (i) meet with school authorities to discuss the school-age child's school attendance
             250      problems; and
             251          (ii) cooperate with the school board, local charter board, or school district in securing
             252      regular attendance by the school-age child;
             253          (b) shall designate the school authorities with whom the parent is required to meet;


             254          (c) shall state that it is a class B misdemeanor for the parent of the school-age child to
             255      intentionally or recklessly:
             256          (i) fail to meet with the designated school authorities to discuss the school-age child's
             257      school attendance problems; or
             258          (ii) fail to prevent the school-age child from being absent without a valid excuse five or
             259      more times during the remainder of the school year;
             260          (d) shall be served on the school-age child's parent by personal service or certified
             261      mail; and
             262          (e) may not be issued unless the school-age child has been truant at least five times
             263      during the school year.
             264          (5) It is a class B misdemeanor for a parent of a school-age minor to intentionally or
             265      recklessly fail to enroll the school-age minor in school, unless the school-age minor is exempt
             266      from enrollment under Section 53A-11-102 or 53A-11-102.5 .
             267          (6) It is a class B misdemeanor for a parent of a school-age child to, after being served
             268      with a notice of compulsory education violation in accordance with Subsections (3) and (4),
             269      intentionally or recklessly:
             270          (a) fail to meet with the school authorities designated in the notice of compulsory
             271      education violation to discuss the school-age child's school attendance problems; or
             272          (b) fail to prevent the school-age child from being absent without a valid excuse five or
             273      more times during the remainder of the school year.
             274          (7) A local school board, local charter board, or school district shall report violations of
             275      this section to the appropriate county or district attorney.
             276          (8) The juvenile court has jurisdiction over an action filed under this section.
             277          Section 5. Section 53A-11-101.7 is enacted to read:
             278          53A-11-101.7. Truancy -- Notice of truancy -- Failure to cooperate with school
             279      authorities -- Habitual truant citation.
             280          (1) Except as provided in Section 53A-11-102 or 53A-11-102.5 , a school-age minor
             281      who is enrolled in a public school shall attend the public school in which the school-age minor


             282      is enrolled.
             283          (2) A local school board, local charter board, or school district may impose
             284      administrative penalties on a school-age minor who is truant.
             285          (3) A local school board or local charter board:
             286          (a) may authorize a school administrator, a designee of a school administrator, or a
             287      truancy specialist to issue notices of truancy to school-age minors who are at least 12 years old;
             288      and
             289          (b) shall establish a procedure for a school-age minor, or the school-age minor's
             290      parents, to contest a notice of truancy.
             291          (4) The notice of truancy described in Subsection (3):
             292          (a) may not be issued until the school-age minor has been truant at least five times
             293      during the school year;
             294          (b) may not be issued to a school-age minor who is less than 12 years old;
             295          (c) shall direct the school-age minor and the parent of the school-age minor to:
             296          (i) meet with school authorities to discuss the school-age minor's truancies; and
             297          (ii) cooperate with the school board, local charter board, or school district in securing
             298      regular attendance by the school-age minor; and
             299          (d) shall be mailed to, or served on, the school-age minor's parent.
             300          (5) A habitual truant citation may be issued to a habitual truant if:
             301          (a) the local school board, local charter board, or school district has made reasonable
             302      efforts, under Section 53A-11-103 , to resolve the school attendance problems of the habitual
             303      truant; and
             304          (b) the efforts to resolve the school attendance problems, described in Subsection
             305      (5)(a), have not been successful.
             306          (6) A habitual truant to whom a habitual truant citation is issued under Subsection (5):
             307          (a) shall be referred to the juvenile court for violation of Subsection (1); and
             308          (b) is subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.
             309          (7) A notice of truancy or a habitual truant citation may only be issued by:


             310          (a) a school administrator, or a truancy specialist, who is authorized by a local school
             311      board or local charter board; or
             312          (b) a designee of a school administrator described in Subsection (7)(a).
             313          (8) Nothing in this part prohibits a local school board, local charter board, or school
             314      district from taking action to resolve a truancy problem with a school-age minor who has been
             315      truant less than five times, provided that the action does not conflict with the requirements of
             316      this part.
             317          Section 6. Section 53A-11-102 is amended to read:
             318           53A-11-102. Minors exempt from school attendance.
             319          (1) (a) A school-age minor may be excused from attendance by the local board of
             320      education and a parent exempted from application of Subsections [ 53A-11-101 (2) and (3)]
             321      53A-11-101.5 (2), (5), and (6) for any of the following reasons:
             322          (i) a minor over age 16 may receive a partial release from school to enter employment,
             323      or attend a trade school, if the minor has completed the eighth grade; or
             324          (ii) on an annual basis, a minor may receive a full release from attending a public,
             325      regularly established private, or part-time school or class if:
             326          (A) the minor has already completed the work required for graduation from high
             327      school, or has demonstrated mastery of required skills and competencies in accordance with
             328      Subsection 53A-15-102 (1);
             329          (B) the minor is in a physical or mental condition, certified by a competent physician if
             330      required by the district board, which renders attendance inexpedient and impracticable;
             331          (C) proper influences and adequate opportunities for education are provided in
             332      connection with the minor's employment; or
             333          (D) the district superintendent has determined that a minor over the age of 16 is unable
             334      to profit from attendance at school because of inability or a continuing negative attitude toward
             335      school regulations and discipline.
             336          (b) Minors receiving a partial release from school under Subsection (1)(a)(i) are
             337      required to attend:


             338          (i) school part-time as prescribed by the local school board; or
             339          (ii) a home school part-time.
             340          (c) In each case, evidence of reasons for granting an exemption under Subsection (1)
             341      must be sufficient to satisfy the local board.
             342          (2) (a) On an annual basis, a school-age minor shall be excused from attendance by a
             343      local board of education and a parent exempted from application of Subsections
             344      [ 53A-11-101 (2) and (3)] 53A-11-101.5 (2), (5), and (6), if the minor's parent files a signed
             345      affidavit with the minor's school district of residence, as defined in Section 53A-2-201 , that the
             346      minor will attend a home school and receive instruction as required by Subsection (2)(b).
             347          (b) Each minor who attends a home school shall receive instruction:
             348          (i) in the subjects the State Board of Education requires to be taught in public schools
             349      in accordance with the law; and
             350          (ii) for the same length of time as minors are required by law to receive instruction in
             351      public schools, as provided by rules of the State Board of Education.
             352          (c) Subject to the requirements of Subsection (2)(b), a parent of a minor who attends a
             353      home school is solely responsible for:
             354          (i) the selection of instructional materials and textbooks;
             355          (ii) the time, place, and method of instruction, and
             356          (iii) the evaluation of the home school instruction.
             357          (d) A local school board may not:
             358          (i) require a parent of a minor who attends a home school to maintain records of
             359      instruction or attendance;
             360          (ii) require credentials for individuals providing home school instruction;
             361          (iii) inspect home school facilities; or
             362          (iv) require standardized or other testing of home school students.
             363          (3) Boards excusing minors from attendance as provided by Subsections (1) and (2)
             364      shall issue a certificate stating that the minor is excused from attendance during the time
             365      specified on the certificate.


             366          (4) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit or discourage voluntary
             367      cooperation, resource sharing, or testing opportunities between a school or school district and a
             368      parent or guardian of a minor attending a home school.
             369          Section 7. Section 53A-11-102.5 is amended to read:
             370           53A-11-102.5. Dual enrollment.
             371          (1) A person having control of a minor under this part who is enrolled in a regularly
             372      established private school or a home school may also enroll the minor in a public school for
             373      dual enrollment purposes.
             374          (2) The minor may participate in any academic activity in the public school available to
             375      students in the minor's grade or age group, subject to compliance with the same rules and
             376      requirements that apply to a full-time student's participation in the activity.
             377          (3) Except as otherwise provided in Sections [ 53A-11-101 ] 53A-11-101.5 and
             378      53A-11-102 , a student enrolled in a public school may also be enrolled in a private school or a
             379      home school for dual enrollment purposes.
             380          (4) A student enrolled in a dual enrollment program is considered a student of the
             381      district in which the public school of attendance is located for purposes of state funding to the
             382      extent of the student's participation in the public school programs.
             383          (5) In accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
             384      State Board of Education shall make rules for purposes of dual enrollment to govern and
             385      regulate the transferability of credits toward graduation that are earned in a private or home
             386      school.
             387          (6) The State Board of Education shall determine the policies and procedures necessary
             388      to permit students enrolled under Subsection (1) to participate in public school extracurricular
             389      activities.
             390          Section 8. Section 53A-11-103 is amended to read:
             391           53A-11-103. Duties of a school board, local charter board, or school district in
             392      resolving attendance problems -- Parental involvement -- Liability not imposed.
             393          (1) [For each school-age minor who is or should be enrolled within that school district,


             394      the] A local school board, local charter board, or school district shall make efforts to resolve [a
             395      minor's] the school attendance problems[. Those efforts] of each school-age minor who is, or
             396      should be, enrolled in the school district.
             397          (2) The efforts described in Subsection (1) shall include, as reasonably feasible:
             398          (a) counseling of the minor by school authorities;
             399          [(b) a written request for parental support in securing regular attendance by the minor
             400      delivered by certified mail, containing notice of the requirements of this section and stating that
             401      refusal to respond to the notice is a class B misdemeanor;]
             402          [(c) at least one meeting with the minor and the parents;]
             403          (b) issuing a notice of truancy to a school-age minor who is at least 12 years old, in
             404      accordance with Section 53A-11-101.7 ;
             405          (c) issuing a notice of compulsory education violation to a parent of a school-age child,
             406      in accordance with Section 53A-11-101.5 ;
             407          (d) making any necessary adjustment to the curriculum and schedule to meet special
             408      needs of the minor; [and]
             409          (e) considering alternatives proposed by a parent;
             410          [(e)] (f) monitoring school attendance of the minor [for a period not to exceed 30
             411      days.];
             412          (g) voluntary participation in truancy mediation, if available; and
             413          (h) providing a school-age minor's parent, upon request, with a list of resources
             414      available to assist the parent in resolving the school-age minor's attendance problems.
             415          [(2)] (3) In addition to the efforts [listed] described in Subsection [(1)] (2), the local
             416      school board, local charter board, or school district may enlist the assistance of community and
             417      law enforcement agencies as appropriate and reasonably feasible.
             418          [(3) In the event that the minor's school attendance problem cannot be resolved by the
             419      efforts of the local school board or school district, the local school board or school district shall
             420      refer the school-age minor to the appropriate district or county attorney or juvenile court as a
             421      habitual truant.]


             422          [(4) Any parent of a school-age minor shall, upon written request from a local school
             423      board or school district, cooperate with school authorities in resolving the minor's school
             424      attendance problem.]
             425          [(5) A local school board may authorize the issuance of truancy citations by school
             426      administrators and appointed truancy specialists. Recipients of truancy citations may be
             427      subjected to administrative penalties.]
             428          [(6) A local school board that authorizes the issuance of truancy citations shall
             429      establish a procedure for students to contest citations. Any minor having received three prior
             430      truancy citations within a single school year and for whom reasonable efforts to resolve the
             431      attendance problem have failed, shall be issued a habitual truancy citation and referred by the
             432      local school board or school district to the appropriate county or district attorney or juvenile
             433      court as a habitual truant. Proceedings for habitual truancy shall be expedited by the court.]
             434          [(7)] (4) This section shall not impose any civil liability on boards of education, local
             435      school boards, local charter boards, school districts, or their employees.
             436          (5) Proceedings initiated under this part do not obligate or preclude action by the
             437      Division of Child and Family Services under Section 78-3a-316 .
             438          Section 9. Section 53A-11-104 is amended to read:
             439           53A-11-104. Truant specialists.
             440          A local school board or local charter board may appoint and fix the compensation of a
             441      [truant officer] truancy specialist to assist in enforcing laws related to school attendance and to
             442      perform other duties prescribed by law or the board.
             443          Section 10. Section 53A-11-105 is amended to read:
             444           53A-11-105. Taking custody of a person believed to be a truant minor --
             445      Disposition -- Receiving centers -- Reports -- Immunity from liability.
             446          (1) A peace officer[, truant officer,] or public school administrator may take a minor
             447      into temporary custody [or issue a truancy citation, or both,] if there is reason to believe the
             448      minor is a truant minor. [A truancy citation issued by a truant officer shall be approved by the
             449      school administrator.]


             450          (2) An individual taking a school-age minor into custody under Subsection (1) shall,
             451      without unnecessary delay, release the minor to:
             452          (a) the principal of the minor's school;
             453          (b) a person who has been designated by the local school board or local charter board
             454      to receive and return the minor to school; or
             455          (c) a receiving center established under Subsection (5).
             456          (3) If the minor refuses to return to school or go to the receiving center, the officer or
             457      administrator shall, without unnecessary delay, notify the minor's parents and release the minor
             458      to their custody.
             459          (4) If the parents cannot be reached or are unable or unwilling to accept custody, the
             460      minor shall be referred to the Division of Child and Family Services.
             461          (5) (a) A local school board or local charter board, singly or jointly with another school
             462      board, may establish or designate receiving centers within existing school buildings and staff
             463      the centers with existing teachers or staff to provide educational guidance and counseling for
             464      truant minors. Upon receipt of a truant minor, the center shall, without unnecessary delay,
             465      notify and direct the minor's parents to come to the center, pick up the minor, and return the
             466      minor to the school in which [he] the minor is enrolled.
             467          (b) If the parents cannot be reached or are unable or unwilling to comply with the
             468      request within a reasonable time, the center shall take such steps as are reasonably necessary to
             469      insure the safety and well being of the minor, including, when appropriate, returning the minor
             470      to school or referring the minor to the Division of Child and Family Services. A minor taken
             471      into custody under this section may not be placed in a detention center or other secure
             472      confinement facility.
             473          (6) Action taken under this section shall be reported to the appropriate school district.
             474      The district shall promptly notify the minor's parents of the action taken.
             475          (7) The Utah Governmental Immunity Act applies to all actions taken under this
             476      section.
             477          (8) Nothing in this section may be construed to grant authority to a public school


             478      administrator [or truant officer] to place a minor in the custody of the Division of Child and
             479      Family Services, without complying with the provisions of Title 62A, Chapter 4a, Parts 2,
             480      Child Welfare Services, and 2A, Minors in Custody on Grounds Other Than Abuse or Neglect,
             481      and of Title 78, Chapter 3a, Parts 3, Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Hearings, and 3A,
             482      Minors in Custody on Grounds Other Than Abuse or Neglect.
             483          Section 11. Section 53A-11-106 is amended to read:
             484           53A-11-106. Truancy support centers.
             485          (1) A school district may establish one or more truancy support centers for:
             486          (a) truant [students] minors taken into custody under Section 53A-11-105 ; or
             487          (b) students suspended or expelled from school.
             488          (2) A truancy support center shall provide [a wide spectrum of] services to the truant
             489      [student] minor and the [student's] truant minor's family, including:
             490          (a) assessments of the [student's] truant minor's needs and abilities;
             491          (b) support for the parents and [student] truant minor through counseling and
             492      community programs; and
             493          (c) tutoring for the [student] truant minor during the time spent at the center.
             494          (3) For the suspended or expelled student, the truancy support center shall provide an
             495      educational setting, staffed with certified teachers and aides, to provide the student with
             496      ongoing educational programming appropriate to [their] the student's grade level.
             497          (4) In a district with a truancy support center, all students suspended or expelled from
             498      school shall be referred to the center. A parent or guardian shall appear with the student at the
             499      center within 48 hours of the suspension or expulsion, not including weekends or holidays.
             500      The student shall register and attend classes at the truancy support center for the duration of the
             501      suspension or expulsion unless the parent or guardian demonstrates that alternative
             502      arrangements have been made for the education or supervision of the student during the time of
             503      suspension or expulsion.
             504          (5) The truancy support center may provide counseling and other support programming
             505      for students suspended or expelled from school and their parents or guardian.


             506          Section 12. Section 62A-2-108.1 is amended to read:
             507           62A-2-108.1. Coordination of human services and educational services --
             508      Licensing of programs -- Procedures.
             509          (1) For purposes of this section:
             510          (a) "accredited private school" means a private school that is accredited by an
             511      accrediting entity recognized by the Utah State Board of Education; and
             512          (b) "education entitled children" means children:
             513          (i) subject to compulsory education under Section [ 53A-11-101 ] 53A-11-101.5 ; [or]
             514          (ii) subject to the school attendance requirements of Section 53A-11-101.7 ; or
             515          [(ii)] (iii) entitled to educational services under Section 53A-15-301 .
             516          (2) Subject to Subsection (8) or (9), a human services program may not be licensed to
             517      serve education entitled children unless the human services program presents an educational
             518      service plan that includes evidence:
             519          (a) satisfactory to:
             520          (i) the office; and
             521          (ii) (A) the local school board of the school district in which the human services
             522      program will be operated; or
             523          (B) the school district superintendent of the school district in which the human services
             524      program will be operated; and
             525          (b) that children served by the human services program shall receive appropriate
             526      educational services satisfying the requirements of applicable law.
             527          (3) Subject to Subsection (8) or (9), if a human services program serves any education
             528      entitled children whose custodial parents or legal guardians reside outside the state, then the
             529      program shall also provide an educational funding plan that includes evidence:
             530          (a) satisfactory to:
             531          (i) the office; and
             532          (ii) (A) the local school board of the school district in which the human services
             533      program will be operated; or


             534          (B) the school district superintendent of the school district in which the human services
             535      program will be operated; and
             536          (b) that all costs for educational services to be provided to the education entitled
             537      children, including tuition, and school fees approved by the local school board, shall be borne
             538      by the human services program.
             539          (4) Subject to Subsection (8) or (9), and in accordance with Subsection (2), the human
             540      services program shall obtain and provide the office with a letter:
             541          (a) from the entity referred to in Subsection (2)(a)(ii):
             542          (i) approving the educational service plan referred to in Subsection (2); or
             543          (ii) (A) disapproving the educational service plan referred to in Subsection (2); and
             544          (B) listing the specific requirements the human services program must meet before
             545      approval is granted; and
             546          (b) from the entity referred to in Subsection (3)(a)(ii):
             547          (i) approving the educational funding plan, referred to in Subsection (3); or
             548          (ii) (A) disapproving the educational funding plan, referred to in Subsection (3); and
             549          (B) listing the specific requirements the human services program must meet before
             550      approval is granted.
             551          (5) Subject to Subsection (8), failure of a local school board or school district
             552      superintendent to respond to a proposed plan within 45 days of receipt of the plan is equivalent
             553      to approval of the plan by the local school board or school district superintendent if the human
             554      services program provides to the office:
             555          (a) proof that:
             556          (i) the human services program submitted the proposed plan to the local school board
             557      or school district superintendent; and
             558          (ii) more than 45 days have passed from the day on which the plan was submitted; and
             559          (b) an affidavit, on a form produced by the office, stating:
             560          (i) the date that the human services program submitted the proposed plan to the local
             561      school board or school district superintendent;


             562          (ii) that more than 45 days have passed from the day on which the plan was submitted;
             563      and
             564          (iii) that the local school board or school district superintendent described in
             565      Subsection (5)(b)(i) failed to respond to the proposed plan within 45 days from the day on
             566      which the plan was submitted.
             567          (6) If a licensee that is licensed to serve an education entitled child fails to comply with
             568      its approved educational service plan or educational funding plan, then:
             569          (a) the office shall give the licensee notice of intent to revoke the licensee's license; and
             570          (b) if the licensee continues its noncompliance for more than 30 days after receipt of
             571      the notice described in Subsection (6)(a), the office shall revoke the licensee's license.
             572          (7) If an education entitled child whose custodial parent or legal guardian resides
             573      within the state is provided with educational services by a school district other than the school
             574      district in which the custodial parent or legal guardian resides, then the funding provisions of
             575      Section 53A-2-210 apply.
             576          (8) A human services program that is an accredited private school:
             577          (a) for purposes of Subsection (2):
             578          (i) is only required to submit proof to the office that the accreditation of the private
             579      school is current; and
             580          (ii) is not required to submit an educational service plan for approval by an entity
             581      described in Subsection (2)(a)(ii);
             582          (b) for purposes of Subsection (3):
             583          (i) is only required to submit proof to the office that all costs for educational services
             584      provided to education entitled children will be borne by the human services program; and
             585          (ii) is not required to submit an educational funding plan for approval by an entity
             586      described in Subsection (3)(a)(ii); and
             587          (c) is not required to comply with Subsections (4) and (5).
             588          (9) Except for Subsection (7), the provisions of this section do not apply to a human
             589      services program that is:


             590          (a) a foster home; and
             591          (b) required to be licensed by the office.
             592          Section 13. Section 62A-4a-606 is amended to read:
             593           62A-4a-606. Child placing agency responsibility for educational services --
             594      Payment of costs.
             595          (1) A child placing agency shall ensure that the requirements of [Section 53A-11-101 ]
             596      Subsections 53A-11-101.5 (2) and 53A-11-101.7 (1) are met through the provision of
             597      appropriate educational services for all children served in the state by the agency.
             598          (2) If the educational services are to be provided through a public school, and:
             599          (a) the custodial parent or legal guardian resides outside the state, then the child
             600      placing agency shall pay all educational costs required under Sections 53A-2-205 and
             601      53A-12-102 ; or
             602          (b) the custodial parent or legal guardian resides within the state, then the child placing
             603      agency shall pay all educational costs required under Section 53A-12-102 .
             604          (3) Children in the custody or under the care of a Utah state agency are exempt from
             605      the payment of fees required under Subsection (2).
             606          (4) A public school shall admit any child living within its school boundaries who is
             607      under the supervision of a child placing agency upon payment by the agency of the tuition and
             608      fees required under Subsection (2).
             609          Section 14. Section 78-3a-801 is amended to read:
             610           78-3a-801. Jurisdiction over adults for offenses against minors -- Proof of
             611      delinquency not required for conviction.
             612          (1) The court shall have jurisdiction, concurrent with the district court or justice court
             613      otherwise having subject matter jurisdiction, to try adults for the following offenses committed
             614      against minors:
             615          (a) unlawful sale or supply of alcohol beverage or product to minors in violation of
             616      Section 32A-12-203 ;
             617          (b) failure to report child abuse or neglect, as required by Title 62A, Chapter 4a, Part 4,


             618      Child Abuse or Neglect Reporting Requirements;
             619          (c) harboring a minor in violation of Section 62A-4a-501 ;
             620          (d) misdemeanor custodial interference in violation of Section 76-5-303 ;
             621          (e) contributing to the delinquency of a minor in violation of Section 76-10-2301 ; and
             622          (f) failure to comply with compulsory education requirements in violation of Section
             623      [ 53A-11-101 ] 53A-11-101.5 .
             624          (2) It is not necessary for the minor to be found to be delinquent or to have committed
             625      a delinquent act for the court to exercise jurisdiction under Subsection (1).


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