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