AN ACT

 

1Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
2act relating to the public school system, including certain
3provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5laws relating thereto," in pupils and attendance, further
6providing for penalties for violations of compulsory
7attendance requirements.

8The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
9hereby enacts as follows:

10Section 1. Section 1333(a)(1) of the act of March 10, 1949
11(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949,
12amended November 17, 1995 (1st Sp.Sess., P.L.1110, No.29), is
13amended to read:

14Section 1333. Penalties for Violation of Compulsory
15Attendance Requirements.--(a) (1) Every parent, guardian, or
16person in parental relation, having control or charge of any
17child or children of compulsory school age, who shall
18intentionally fail to comply with the provisions of this act
19regarding compulsory attendance, shall on summary conviction

1thereof, be sentenced to [pay a fine, for the benefit of the
2school district in which such offending person resides, not
3exceeding three hundred dollars ($300) and to pay court costs or
4be sentenced to] complete a parenting education program offered
5and operated by a local school district, medical institution or
6other community resources, or perform community service. [, and,
7in default of the payment of such fine and costs or completion
8of the parenting program by the person so offending, shall be
9sentenced to the county jail for a period not exceeding five (5)
10days. Any person sentenced to pay any such fine may appeal to
11the court of common pleas of the proper county, upon entering
12into a recognizance, with one or more proper sureties, in double
13the amount of penalty and costs.] Before any proceedings are
14instituted against any parent, guardian, or person in parental
15relation, for failure to comply with the provisions of this act,
16the district superintendent, attendance officer, or secretary of
17the board of school directors, shall give the offending person
18three (3) days' written notice of such violation. If, after such
19notice has been given, the provisions of this act regarding
20compulsory attendance are again violated by the persons so
21notified, at any time during the term of compulsory attendance,
22such person, so again offending, shall be liable under the
23provisions of this section without further notice.

24* * *

25Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.