The proposed bill seeks to strengthen the collaboration between schools and juvenile probation services in enforcing the Attendance for Success Act, particularly for students who are chronically or excessively absent. It mandates that juvenile probation services conduct a preliminary inquiry into delinquency complaints that includes a review of the child's school attendance. The bill grants juvenile probation services immediate access to student attendance records and allows the children's court to suspend driving privileges for students with excessive absenteeism. Additionally, it establishes penalties for parents who permit their excessively absent children to continue missing school after being reported to juvenile probation services.

Key amendments to existing law include a clearer definition of "juvenile probation services" and new provisions that require these services to enforce the Attendance for Success Act. The bill also stipulates that parents of excessively absent students may face prosecution, with penalties ranging from fines to potential imprisonment for repeat offenses. Furthermore, it introduces a requirement for the children's court attorney to be notified of a child's absenteeism in both misdemeanor and felony cases, and allows for the assessment of whether a child's family requires court-ordered services based on attendance issues. This structured approach aims to address school absenteeism through enhanced cooperation between educational and juvenile justice systems.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 22-12A-2, 22-12A-6, 22-12A-12, 32A-2-7, 32A-3B-2, 30-52-1