2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 17:233 — Cases of habitual absence and/or tardiness referred to juvenile or family court

§233.  Cases of habitual absence and/or tardiness referred to juvenile or family court

A.  Any student who is a juvenile and who is habitually absent from school or is habitually tardy shall be reported by visiting teachers and supervisors of child welfare and attendance to the family or juvenile court of the parish or city as a truant child, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2 of Title VII of the Louisiana Children's Code relative to families in need of services, there to be dealt with in such manner as the court may determine, either by placing the truant in a home or in a public or private institution where school may be provided for the child, or otherwise.

B.(1)  A student shall be considered habitually absent or habitually tardy when either condition continues to exist after all reasonable efforts by the principal and the teacher have failed to correct the condition after the fifth unexcused absence or fifth unexcused occurrence of being tardy within any month or if a pattern of five absences a month is established.  The student's principal or the principal's designee, with the aid of the teachers, shall file a written report showing dates of absence or tardiness, dates and results of school contacts with the home, and such other information as may be needed by the visiting teacher or supervisor of child welfare and attendance.

(2)  In a nonpublic school, a student shall be considered habitually absent or tardy only when the student has been absent or tardy for more than five days within any month without approval of the parent or other person responsible for the student's school attendance and when the student's principal has filed a written report showing dates of absence or tardiness and dates and results of school contacts with the home.

Acts 1990, No. 158, §2, eff. July 1, 1990; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 103, §1, eff. July 7, 1994.