TRUANCY

Youth experiencing attendance problems in school are referred to Juvenile Services for processing and court intervention. If a youth is found to be truant, sanctions can be imposed for non-compliance. Detention or community service can be assigned. Case coordination is assisted by the school districts and prosecuting attorneys office.
 

The school must file a truancy petition if:

  1. The child is required to attend school under RCW 28A.225.010 and;

  2. The school has not been successful in substantially reducing an enrolled student's absences from public school and;

  3. The child has seven (7) unexcused absences within any one month during the current school year, or ten (10) unexcused absences during the current school year.

Truancy petitions can be filed on the child, the parent, or the parent and the child.  A court may order a Child to do one or more of the following:

  1. Attend the child's current school, and set forth minimum attendance requirements, including suspensions;

  2. Order the child to attend another public school, an alternative education program, center, a skill center, dropout prevention program, or another public educational program;

  3. Attend a private nonsectarian school or program including an education center;

  4. Submit to testing for the use of controlled substances or alcohol and order the minor to abstain from the unlawful consumption of controlled substances or alcohol and adhere to the recommendations of the drug assessment;

  5. If the child fails to comply with the court order, the court may order the child to be subject to detention, as provided in RCW 7.21.030(2)(e), or may impose alternatives to detention such as community restitution.

A court may order the Parent to:

  1. Pay a fine of no more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each day of unexcused absence from school if they are in violation of any of the provisions of either RCW 28A.225.010, 28A.225.015, or 28A.225.080.

  2. Provide community restitution instead of imposing a fine.

 

The Schools duties regarding truancy (RCW 28A.225.020)

Truancy Court Orders, Penalties, and the Parents' defense (RCW 28A.225.090 )

 

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