15-803. School attendance; exemptions;
definitions



(L10, Ch. 318, sec. 8. Eff. 7/1/11)



A. It is unlawful for any child who is between six and sixteen years of age to fail
to attend school during the hours school is in session, unless either:


1. The child is excused pursuant to section 15-802, subsection D or section 15-901,
subsection A, paragraph 5, subdivision (c).


2. The child is accompanied by a parent or a person authorized by a parent.


3. The child is provided with instruction in a home school.


B. A child who is habitually truant or who has excessive absences may be
adjudicated an incorrigible child as defined in section 8-201. Absences may be considered
excessive when the number of absent days exceeds ten per cent of the number of required
attendance days prescribed in section 15-802, subsection B, paragraph 1.


C. For the purposes of this section:


1. "Habitually truant" means a truant child who is truant for at least five school
days within a school year.


2. "Truant" means an unexcused absence for at least one class period during the
day.


3. "Truant child" means a child who is between six and sixteen years of age and who
is not in attendance at a public or private school during the hours that school is in
session, unless excused as provided by this section.