53A-11-101.   Definitions.
     For purposes of this part:
     (1) (a) "Absence" or "absent" means, consistent with Subsection (1)(b), failure of a school-age minor assigned to a class or class period to attend the entire class or class period.
     (b) A school-age minor may not be considered absent under this part more than one time during one day.
     (2) "Habitual truant" means a school-age minor who:
     (a) is at least 12 years old;
     (b) is subject to the requirements of Section 53A-11-101.5; and
     (c) (i) is truant at least ten times during one school year; or
     (ii) fails to cooperate with efforts on the part of school authorities to resolve the minor's attendance problem as required under Section 53A-11-103.
     (3) "Minor" means a person under the age of 18 years.
     (4) "Parent" includes:
     (a) a custodial parent of the minor;
     (b) a legally appointed guardian of a minor; or
     (c) any other person purporting to exercise any authority over the minor which could be exercised by a person described in Subsection (4)(a) or (b).
     (5) "School-age minor" means a minor who:
     (a) is at least six years old, but younger than 18 years old; and
     (b) is not emancipated.
     (6) "School year" means the period of time designated by a local school board or local charter board as the school year for the school where the school-age minor:
     (a) is enrolled; or
     (b) should be enrolled, if the school-age minor is not enrolled in school.
     (7) "Truant" means absent without a valid excuse.
     (8) "Truant minor" means a school-age minor who:
     (a) is subject to the requirements of Section 53A-11-101.5 or 53A-11-101.7; and
     (b) is truant.
     (9) "Valid excuse" means:
     (a) an illness;
     (b) a family death;
     (c) an approved school activity;
     (d) an absence permitted by a school-age minor's:
     (i) individualized education program, developed pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, as amended; or
     (ii) accommodation plan, developed pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; or
     (e) any other excuse established as valid by a local school board, local charter board, or school district.

Amended by Chapter 81, 2007 General Session
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Last revised: Thursday, May 01, 2008