Regular Session 2015-2016 House Bill 1907 P.N. 3059

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 2983

PRINTER'S NO. 3059

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

No.

1907

Session of

2015

INTRODUCED BY BENNINGHOFF, SAYLOR, ADOLPH, BAKER, V. BROWN,

D. COSTA, CUTLER, DeLUCA, ELLIS, EVERETT, GILLESPIE, HARHART,

A. HARRIS, PHILLIPS-HILL, KLUNK, OBERLANDER, PICKETT,

STEPHENS, THOMAS, TOOHIL, WARD, WATSON, WHITE, PEIFER AND

ZIMMERMAN, MARCH 17, 2016

AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, APRIL 4, 2016

AN ACT

Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An

act relating to the public school system, including certain

provisions applicable as well to private and parochial

schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the

laws relating thereto," in pupils and attendance, further

providing for definitions and for penalties for violation of

compulsory attendance requirements and, providing for

procedure by school when child habitually truant, for

procedure upon filing of citation and for penalties for

violating compulsory school attendance requirements AND

FURTHER PROVIDING FOR SUSPENSION OF OPERATING PRIVILEGE.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 1326 of the act of March 10, 1949

(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is

amended to read:

Section 1326. Definitions.--[The term "compulsory school

age," as hereinafter used, shall mean the period of a child's

life from the time the child's parents elect to have the child

enter school, which shall be not later than at the age of eight

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(8) years, until the age of seventeen (17) years. The term shall

not include any child who holds a certificate of graduation from

a regularly accredited senior high school.

The term "migratory child," wherever used in this subdivision

of this article, shall include any child domiciled temporarily

in any school district for the purpose of seasonal employment,

but not acquiring residence therein, and any child accompanying

his parent or guardian who is so domiciled.] When used in this

article, the following words and phrases shall have the

following meanings:

"Citation" shall mean a nontraffic citation or private

criminal complaint.

"Compulsory school age" shall mean the period of a child's

life between eight (8) and seventeen (17) years of age. The term

does not include a child who holds a certificate of graduation

from a regularly accredited, licensed, registered or approved

high school.

"Conviction" shall mean a conviction under section 1333.2 for

violation of the requirement for compulsory school attendance.

"Court" shall mean a magisterial district court or a court of

common pleas.

"Department" shall mean the Department of Education of the

Commonwealth.

"Excused absence" shall mean an absence from school which is

permitted under section 1329.

"Governing body" shall mean the board of school directors of

a school district or any other governing entity of a school.

"Habitually truant" shall mean six (6) or more school days of

unexcused absences during the current school year by a child

subject to compulsory school attendance under this article.

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"Judge" shall mean a magisterial district judge or a judge of

a court of common pleas.

"Juvenile act" shall mean the provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 63

(relating to juvenile matters).

"Migratory child" shall mean a child domiciled temporarily in

a school district for the purpose of seasonal employment, but

not acquiring residence therein, and a child accompanying his or

her person in parental relation who is so domiciled.

"Offense" shall mean each citation filed under section 1333.1

for a violation of the requirement for compulsory school

attendance under this article regardless of the number of

unexcused absences alleged in the citation.

"Person in parental relation" shall mean a:

(1) Custodial biological or adoptive parent.

(2) Noncustodial biological or adoptive parent.

(3) Guardian of the person of a child.

(4) Person with whom a child lives and who is acting in a

parental role of a child.

This definition shall not include any county agency or person

acting as an agent of the county agency in the jurisdiction of a

dependent child defined under 42 Pa.C.S. § 6302 (relating to

definitions). This definition shall not expand the right of a

child under any other section of this act.

"School" shall mean the educational entity in which the child

is enrolled and at which a resident of this Commonwealth may

legally fulfill the compulsory school attendance requirements of

this article.

"School attendance improvement conference" shall mean a

conference where the child's absences and reasons therefore are

examined in an effort to improve attendance, with or without

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additional services, and to which the child, the child's person

in parental relation, other individuals identified by the person

in parental relation who may be a resource, appropriate school

personnel and recommended service providers shall be invited.

"School day" shall mean the length of time that a child

subject to compulsory school attendance is expected to be

receiving instruction during a calendar day, as determined by

the governing body.

"School year" shall have the same meaning as "school term" as

defined in section 102, as applicable to a school district, and

as further defined in section 1327(b) for a day school which is

operated by a bona fide church or other religious body, section

1327.1(c) for a day school or boarding school accredited by an

accrediting association which is approved by the State Board of

Education, section 1327.1(d) for a home education program, and

sections 1501 and 1504 for a public kindergarten, elementary or

secondary school or a school district.

"Truant" shall mean three (3) or more school days of

unexcused absences during the current school year by a child

subject to compulsory school attendance under this article.

"Unexcused absence" shall mean an absence from school which

is not permitted by the provisions of section 1329 and for which

an approved explanation has not been submitted within the time

period and in the manner prescribed by the governing body. An

out-of-school suspension may not be considered an unexcused

absence.

Section 2. Section 1333 of the act, amended November 17,

1995 (1st Sp.Sess. P.L.1110, No.29), is amended to read:

Section 1333. [Penalties for Violation of Compulsory

Attendance Requirements.--(a) (1) Every parent, guardian, or

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person in parental relation, having control or charge of any

child or children of compulsory school age, who shall fail to

comply with the provisions of this act regarding compulsory

attendance, shall on summary conviction thereof, be sentenced to

pay a fine, for the benefit of the school district in which such

offending person resides, not exceeding three hundred dollars

($300) and to pay court costs or be sentenced to complete a

parenting education program offered and operated by a local

school district, medical institution or other community

resources, and, in default of the payment of such fine and costs

or completion of the parenting program by the person so

offending, shall be sentenced to the county jail for a period

not exceeding five (5) days. Any person sentenced to pay any

such fine may appeal to the court of common pleas of the proper

county, upon entering into a recognizance, with one or more

proper sureties, in double the amount of penalty and costs.

Before any proceedings are instituted against any parent,

guardian, or person in parental relation, for failure to comply

with the provisions of this act, the district superintendent,

attendance officer, or secretary of the board of school

directors, shall give the offending person three (3) days'

written notice of such violation. If, after such notice has been

given, the provisions of this act regarding compulsory

attendance are again violated by the persons so notified, at any

time during the term of compulsory attendance, such person, so

again offending, shall be liable under the provisions of this

section without further notice.

(2) The child and every parent, guardian or person in

parental relation must appear at a hearing established by the

district justice. If the parent, guardian or person in parental

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relation charged with a summary offense under this subsection

shows that he or she took every reasonable step to insure

attendance of the child at school, he or she shall not be

convicted of the summary offense.

(3) Upon a summary conviction, the district justice may

suspend, in whole or in part, a sentence in which a parent,

guardian or person in parental relation is summoned to pay as

required under this section: Provided, That the child no longer

is habitually truant from school without justification.

(4) In lieu of or in addition to any other sentence imposed

under this section, the district justice may order the parent,

guardian or person in parental relation to perform community

service in the school district in which the offending child

resides for a period not to exceed six (6) months.

(b) (1) If the parent, guardian or person in parental

relation is not convicted of a summary offense because he or she

took every reasonable step to insure attendance of the child at

school, a child of compulsory school age who has attained the

age of thirteen (13) years and fails to comply with the

provisions of this act regarding compulsory attendance or who is

habitually truant from school without justification commits a

summary offense and except as provided in clause (4) shall, upon

conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding three

hundred dollars ($300) for each offense for the benefit of the

school district in which such offending child resides or shall

be assigned to an adjudication alternative program pursuant to

42 Pa.C.S. § 1520 (relating to adjudication alternative

program).

(2) For any child who has attained the age of thirteen (13)

years who fails to pay the fine under clause (1) or to comply

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with the adjudication alternative program, the district justice

may allege the child to be dependent under 42 Pa.C.S. § 6303(a)

(1) (relating to scope of chapter). The failure by the child to

pay a fine or comply with the adjudication alternative program

shall not constitute a delinquent act under 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 63

(relating to juvenile matters).

(3) Upon a summary conviction or assignment to an

adjudication alternative program, the district justice may

suspend, in whole or in part, a sentence or an adjudication

alternative program in which a child who has attained the age of

thirteen (13) years must pay or comply with the adjudication

alternative program: Provided, That the child no longer is

habitually truant from school without justification.

(4) Any child who has not attained the age of thirteen (13)

years who fails to comply with the compulsory attendance

provisions of this act and is habitually truant shall be

referred by the school district for services or possible

disposition as a dependent child as defined under 42 Pa.C.S. §

6302 (relating to definitions). Any child who has attained the

age of thirteen (13) years who fails to comply with the

compulsory attendance provisions of this act and is habitually

truant may, in lieu of a prosecution under clause (1), be

referred by the school district for services or possible

disposition as a dependent child as defined under 42 Pa.C.S. §

6302.

(5) The following words, when used in this subsection, shall

have the following meaning, except where the context clearly

indicates or requires a different meaning:

"Community resources" shall mean those agencies and services

for children and youth provided by the juvenile court, the

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county, the Department of Health, the Department of Public

Welfare and other public or private institutions.

"District justice" shall mean such court as the court of

common pleas shall direct in counties not having district

justices.

"Habitually truant" shall mean absence for more than three

(3) school days or their equivalent following the first notice

of truancy given under section 1354. A person may be habitually

truant after such notice.

"Offense" shall mean each citation which goes before a

district justice or court of common pleas.

"Person in parental relation" shall not include any county

agency or person acting as an agent of the county agency in the

jurisdiction of a dependent child defined under 42 Pa.C.S. §

6302 (relating to definitions).

the court, including a court not of record, shall send to the

Department of Transportation a certified record of the

conviction or other disposition on a form prescribed by the

department.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to a

parent, guardian or person in parental relation whose child or

children are in a home education program under section 1327.1.]

Procedure When Child is Truant.--(a) (1) When a child is

truant the school shall provide written notice to the person in

parental relation who resides in the same household as the child

of the child's violation of compulsory school attendance within

ten (10) school days of the child's third unexcused absence.

(2) The notice required under paragraph (1):

(i) Shall include a description of the consequences that

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will follow if the child becomes habitually truant.

(ii) Shall be in a form and use language that would be

considered reasonably understandable by the person in parental

relation.

(iii) May include the offer of a school attendance

improvement conference.

(3) If the individual receiving notification under paragraph

(1) is not the biological or adoptive parent, written notice

shall also be provided to the child's biological or adoptive

parents if their mailing addresses are on file with the school

and they are not precluded to receive the information by a court

order.

(b) (1) If unexcused absences continue after the school has

issued the notice required under subsection (a), the school

shall offer, by advance written notice, a school attendance

improvement conference to the child and person in parental

relation unless such a conference was previously held following

the notice provided under subsection (a)(1). This subsection

shall not be construed to place a legal obligation on the child

or the person in parental relation to attend the conference. The

conference may occur if the person in parental relation declines

to participate.

(2) The outcome of the conference shall be documented in a

written school attendance improvement plan. The department shall

develop a form to be used for this purpose, and each school

shall use a form substantially similar to the form developed by

the department.

(3) The school may not take further legal action to address

unexcused absences by the child until after the date for the

scheduled school attendance improvement conference has passed.

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Section 3. The act is amended by adding sections to read:

Section 1333.1. Procedure By School When Child Habitually

Truant.--(a) When a child is habitually truant and under

fifteen (15) years of age at the time of referral, the school:

(1) Shall refer the child to either of the following:

(i) A school-based or community-based attendance improvement

program.

(ii) The county children and youth agency for services or

for possible disposition as a dependent child under the

provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 63 (relating to juvenile matters).

(2) May file a citation in the office of the appropriate

magisterial district judge against the person in parental

relation who resides in the same household as the child.

(b) When a child is habitually truant and fifteen (15) years

of age or older at the time of referral, the school shall

either:

(1) Refer the child to a school-based or community-based

attendance improvement program or service.

(2) File a citation in the office of the appropriate

magisterial district judge against the child or the person in

parental relation who resides in the same household as the

child.

continues to incur additional unexcused absences after being

referred to a school-based or community-based attendance

improvement program or refuses to participate in a school-based

or community-based attendance improvement program as recommended

through the school attendance improvement conference, the school

may refer the child to the county children and youth agency for

possible disposition as a dependent child under the provisions

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of 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 63.

(d) When referring a habitually truant child to the county

children and youth agency or filing a citation with the

magisterial district court because a child has been habitually

truant, the school shall provide verification that a school

attendance improvement conference was offered.

Section 1333.2. Procedure Upon Filing of Citation.--(a) The

venue for the filing of a citation under section 1333.1 shall be

based on the location of the school in which the child is

enrolled.

(b) When a citation is filed against a child or a person in

parental relation who resides in the same household as the child

under the provisions of section 1333.1, the magisterial district

judge shall provide the following notices:

(1) Written notice of the hearing with respect to the

citation to the school, the person in parental relation, the

child and the county children and youth agency.

(2) Notice to the child or person in parental relation who

resides in the same household as the child of the availability

of a preconviction diversionary program authorized under 42

Pa.C.S. § 1520 (relating to adjudication alternative program).

is upon the school to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the

child was habitually truant in noncompliance with the compulsory

school attendance requirements of this article.

(d) I f the citation is filed against the person in parental

relation who resides in the same household as the child, it is a

defense if the person in parental relation can prove by a

preponderance of the evidence that every reasonable step to

ensure attendance of the child at school was taken.

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(e) Before entering a sentence, the judge shall permit the

school, person in parental relation or child to present relevant

information that will assist the judge in making an informed

decision regarding the appropriate sentence. The judge may

consider the child's school attendance after the citation was

filed and while the proceeding was pending for the purpose of

imposing a sentence.

Section 1333.3. Penalties for Violating Compulsory School

Attendance Requirements.--(a) A person convicted of a summary

offense under section 1333.2 may be sentenced:

(1) To pay a fine for the benefit of the school in an amount

not exceeding three hundred dollars ($300) for each citation,

together with court costs.

(2) To perform community service.

(3) To complete an appropriate course or program designed to

improve school attendance, which has been approved by the

president judge of the judicial district.

(b) The court may suspend the sentence of a person convicted

under the provisions of sections 1333, 1333.1 and 1333.2 and may

remit or waive fines and costs if the child attends school in

accordance with a plan devised by the court.

section by a magisterial district judge shall have a right to

appeal de novo to a court of common pleas of the proper county

within thirty (30) days after conviction. Thereafter, the appeal

shall proceed as any other appeal of a summary conviction.

(d) No citation shall be filed against a child or a person

in parental relation who resides in the same household as the

child for a subsequent violation of compulsory school attendance

if any of the following circumstances apply:

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(1) A proceeding under sections 1333.1 and 1333.2 is already

pending against the child or the person in parental relation who

resides in the same household as the child until the judgment

has been entered in such proceeding unless a warrant has been

issued for failure of that parent or child to appear before the

court and the warrant has not yet been served.

(2) A referral for services has been made to the county's

children and youth agency under section 1333.1 and the agency

has not closed the case.

(3) A petition has been filed alleging the child is

dependent under 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 63 (relating to juvenile matters)

due to being habitually truant and the case remains under the

jurisdiction of the juvenile court.

(e) Upon a second or subsequent conviction of a child or a

person in parental relation who resides in the same household as

the child for a violation of the compulsory school attendance

requirements of this article in a court within this Commonwealth

within a period of three (3) years, the court shall refer the

child for services or possible disposition as a dependent child

under 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 63.

(f) Upon the willful failure of a person to satisfy a fine

or costs imposed under this section , AND A FINDING BY THE COURT

THAT THE PERSON HAS THE ABILITY TO PAY THE FINANCIAL OBLIGATION

IMPOSED, THE WILLFUL FAILURE to comply with a payment plan or

THE WILLFUL FAILURE to comply with any other part of the

sentence imposed by the court under subsection (a), the

following shall apply:

(1) The court may , after finding that the person has the

ability to pay the financial obligation imposed :

(i) In the case of a person in parental relation who resides

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in the same household as the child, impose a period of

incarceration not to exceed five (5) days.

(ii) Impose community service.

(2) In the case of a child, the failure shall not be

considered a delinquent act, provided that the president judge

of the judicial district may adopt a local policy pursuant to 42

Pa.C.S. § 6304 (relating to powers and duties of probation

officers) and the Pennsylvania Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure

to provide that a juvenile probation officer may receive

allegations that the child is dependent for the purpose of

considering the commencement of proceedings under 42 Pa.C.S. Ch.

63.

(g) (1) If a child is convicted of a violation of the

compulsory school attendance requirements of this article, the

court may send the Department of Transportation a certified

record of the conviction on a form prescribed by the department

only if the child fails to comply with a lawful sentence entered

for the violation.

(2) The Department of Transportation shall suspend for

ninety (90) days the operating privilege of a child upon

receiving a certified record that the child was convicted of a

summary offense under the compulsory school attendance

requirements of this article. If the Department of

Transportation receives a certified record of a second or

subsequent conviction of a child pursuant to this section, the

department shall suspend the child's operating privilege for six

(6) months.

(3) A child whose record is received by the Department of

Transportation under this section and who does not have a

driver's license shall be ineligible to apply for a driver's

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license under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1505 (relating to learners' permits)

and 1507 (relating to application for driver's license or

learner's permit by minor) for the time period specified in

paragraph (2). If the child is under sixteen (16) years of age

when convicted, suspension of operating privileges shall

commence in accordance with 75 Pa.C.S. § 1541 (relating to

period of disqualification, revocation or suspension of

operating privilege) for the time specified in paragraph (2).

(4) A child whose driving privileges have been suspended or

whose eligibility for a permit or license is delayed under this

section may have that license or eligibility restored by

providing the Department of Transportation with a form developed

by the Department of Transportation containing the following

information in the form of a certified record from the child's

school that the child:

(i) Has attended school for a period of at least two (2)

months after the first conviction or four (4) months after the

second conviction without an unexcused absence or unexcused

tardy.

(ii) Has no school disciplinary actions pending or has not

served a disciplinary sanction during the period of the

suspension or delay.

(iii) Is attending and passing all classes.

(5) An insurer may not increase premiums, impose a surcharge

or rate penalty, make a driver record point assignment for

automobile insurance or cancel or refuse to renew an automobile

insurance policy on account of a suspension under this section.

Section 4. Section 1338.1 of the act, added November 17,

1995 (1st Sp.Sess. P.L.1110, No.29), is repealed:

[Section 1338.1. Suspension of Operating Privilege.--(a)

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The Department of Transportation shall suspend for 90 days the

operating privilege of any child upon receiving a certified

record that the child was convicted of violating section 1333.

If the department receives a second or subsequent conviction for

a child's violation of section 1333, the department shall

suspend the child's operating privilege for six months.

(b) Any child whose record is received by the department

under section 1333(c) and who does not have a driver's license

shall be ineligible to apply for a driver's license under 75

Pa.C.S. §§ 1505 (relating to learners' permits) and 1507

(relating to application for driver's license or learner's

permit by minor) for the time periods specified in subsection

(a). If the child is under sixteen (16) years of age when

convicted, suspension of operating privileges shall commence in

accordance with 75 Pa.C.S. § 1541 (relating to period of

revocation or suspension of operating privilege) for the time

specified in subsection (a).

surcharge or rate penalty or make any driver record point

assignment for automobile insurance, nor shall an insurer cancel

or refuse to renew an automobile insurance policy on account of

a suspension under this section.]

Section 5. This act shall take effect as follows:

(1) The addition of section 1333.3 of the act shall take

effect immediately.

(2) The remainder of this act shall take effect by the

start of the school year beginning nine months after the

passage of this act.

SECTION 5. THE AMENDMENT OR ADDITION OF SECTIONS 1326, 1333,

1333.1, 1333.2, 1333.3 AND 1338.1 OF THE ACT SHALL APPLY TO

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SCHOOL YEARS BEGINNING WITH THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR AND EACH

SCHOOL YEAR THEREAFTER.

SECTION 6. THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

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