2
3
4
5
6 Cosponsors:
7 Steve Eliason
Justin L. Fawson
Michael S. Kennedy
Val K. Potter
8
9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This bill amends the definition of "valid excuse" in the compulsory education code.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This bill:
14 ▸ amends a definition to specify that "valid excuse" means a physical or mental
15 illness.
16 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
17 None
18 Other Special Clauses:
19 None
20 Utah Code Sections Affected:
21 AMENDS:
22 53G-6-201, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 3
23
24 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 Section 1. Section 53G-6-201 is amended to read:
26 53G-6-201. Definitions.
27 For purposes of this part:
28 (1) (a) "Absence" or "absent" means, consistent with Subsection (1)(b), failure of a
29 school-age minor assigned to a class or class period to attend the entire class or class period.
30 (b) A school-age minor may not be considered absent under this part more than one
31 time during one day.
32 (2) "Habitual truant" means a school-age minor who:
33 (a) is at least 12 years old;
34 (b) is subject to the requirements of Section 53G-6-202; and
35 (c) (i) is truant at least 10 times during one school year; or
36 (ii) fails to cooperate with efforts on the part of school authorities to resolve the
37 minor's attendance problem as required under Section 53G-6-206.
38 (3) "Minor" means a person under the age of 18 years.
39 (4) "Parent" includes:
40 (a) a custodial parent of the minor;
41 (b) a legally appointed guardian of a minor; or
42 (c) any other person purporting to exercise any authority over the minor which could be
43 exercised by a person described in Subsection (4)(a) or (b).
44 (5) "School-age minor" means a minor who:
45 (a) is at least six years old, but younger than 18 years old; and
46 (b) is not emancipated.
47 (6) "School year" means the period of time designated by a local school board or local
48 charter board as the school year for the school where the school-age minor:
49 (a) is enrolled; or
50 (b) should be enrolled, if the school-age minor is not enrolled in school.
51 (7) "Truant" means absent without a valid excuse.
52 (8) "Truant minor" means a school-age minor who:
53 (a) is subject to the requirements of Section 53G-6-202 or 53G-6-203; and
54 (b) is truant.
55 (9) "Valid excuse" means:
56 (a) an illness, which may be either mental or physical;
57 (b) a family death;
58 (c) an approved school activity;
59 (d) an absence permitted by a school-age minor's:
60 (i) individualized education program, developed pursuant to the Individuals with
61 Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, as amended; or
62 (ii) accommodation plan, developed pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
63 of 1973, as amended; or
64 (e) any other excuse established as valid by a local school board, local charter board, or
65 school district.