Truancy

Truancy. (a) Any juvenile subject to compulsory education pursuant to 3 CMC § 1141 who has not been granted a waiver from the Commissioner of Education and who is absent without valid excuse for (1) five days in one semester under block scheduling; or (2) ten days in one semester for schools without block scheduling is truant, except as otherwise provided in this section. (b) Block schedules, semesters and valid excused absences under this section shall be interpreted in accordance with Board of Education and Public School System rules, regulations, policies and procedures. (c) School ordered suspensions and expulsions shall not be considered when determining truancy pursuant to this section. (d) Violation of this section may be punishable by a fine, not to exceed $500. (e) Truancy is a status offense that is not punishable by detention unless the juvenile is a habitual status offender. Source: PL 16-47, § 19, modified. Commission Comment: The Commission changed the order of this section from its original placement in PL 16-47 and changed capitalization pursuant to 1 CMC § 3806(b) and (f).