Signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that establishes a crime for parents or legal guardians of pupils that are 6 years of age or older and in kindergarten or grades 1-8 who are "chronic truants."

Highlights:

• Defines "chronic truant" as a child who is absent from school without a valid excuse for 10 percent or more of the school days in one school year, from date of enrollment to the current date (Sec. 2).

• Classifies the offense as a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, 1 year imprisonment, or both a fine and imprisonment (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that a parent or legal guardian of a "chronic truant" are in violation of the law if he or she failed to "reasonably supervise and encourage" the pupil's school attendance, and have been offered language accessible support services to address the child's truancy (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes superior courts to establish a deferred entry of judgment programs to adjudicate cases involving parents or legal guardians of pupils who are "chronic truants," and specifies that such programs shall include, but are not limited to, the following (Sec. 2):
• Meetings with school district representatives;
• Service referrals, including, but not limited to, the following:
• Case management;
• Mental and physical health services;
• Parenting classes and support;
• Substance abuse treatment; and
• Child care and housing;

• Agreement to dismiss the charge upon completing a drug diversion program or deferred entry program; and -Agreement that failure to comply with the terms of the program will rending of a finding of guilty to the charges.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a crime for parents or legal guardians of pupils that are 6 years of age or older and in kindergarten or grades 1-8 who are "chronic truants."

Highlights:

• Defines "chronic truant" as a child who is absent from school without a valid excuse for 10 percent or more of the school days in one school year, from date of enrollment to the current date (Sec. 2).

• Classifies the offense as a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, 1 year imprisonment, or both a fine and imprisonment (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that a parent or legal guardian of a "chronic truant" are in violation of the law if he or she failed to "reasonably supervise and encourage" the pupil's school attendance, and have been offered language accessible support services to address the child's truancy (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes superior courts to establish a deferred entry of judgment programs to adjudicate cases involving parents or legal guardians of pupils who are "chronic truants," and specifies that such programs shall include, but are not limited to, the following (Sec. 2):
• Meetings with school district representatives;
• Service referrals, including, but not limited to, the following:
• Case management;
• Mental and physical health services;
• Parenting classes and support;
• Substance abuse treatment; and
• Child care and housing;

• Agreement to dismiss the charge upon completing a drug diversion program or deferred entry program; and -Agreement that failure to comply with the terms of the program will rending of a finding of guilty to the charges.

Full Bill Text