Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 234 (2018GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Moss, J.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/15/2018

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Gary R. Herbert

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• amends a definition to specify that "valid excuse" means a physical or mental illness.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

COMPULSORY EDUCATION REVISIONS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Jefferson Moss
Senate Sponsor: 
 Howard A. Stephenson
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill amends the definition of "valid excuse" in the compulsory education code.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ amends a definition to specify that "valid excuse" means a physical or mental
illness.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
53G-6-201
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 3
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
53G-6-201
 is amended to read:
53G-6-201.
Definitions.
For purposes of this part:
(1) (a) "Absence" or "absent" means, consistent with Subsection (1)(b), failure of a
school-age minor assigned to a class or class period to attend the entire class or class period.
(b) A school-age minor may not be considered absent under this part more than one
time during one day.
(2) "Habitual truant" means a school-age minor who:
(a) is at least 12 years old;
(b) is subject to the requirements of Section 
53G-6-202
; and
(c) (i) is truant at least 10 times during one school year; or
(ii) fails to cooperate with efforts on the part of school authorities to resolve the
minor's attendance problem as required under Section 
53G-6-206
.
(3) "Minor" means a person under the age of 18 years.
(4) "Parent" includes:
(a) a custodial parent of the minor;
(b) a legally appointed guardian of a minor; or
(c) any other person purporting to exercise any authority over the minor which could be
exercised by a person described in Subsection (4)(a) or (b).
(5) "School-age minor" means a minor who:
(a) is at least six years old, but younger than 18 years old; and
(b) is not emancipated.
(6) "School year" means the period of time designated by a local school board or local
charter board as the school year for the school where the school-age minor:
(a) is enrolled; or
(b) should be enrolled, if the school-age minor is not enrolled in school.
(7) "Truant" means absent without a valid excuse.
(8) "Truant minor" means a school-age minor who:
(a) is subject to the requirements of Section 
53G-6-202
 or 
53G-6-203
; and
(b) is truant.
(9) "Valid excuse" means:
(a) [
an
] 
a physical or mental
 illness;
(b) a family death;
(c) an approved school activity;
(d) an absence permitted by a school-age minor's:
(i) individualized education program, developed pursuant to the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, as amended; or
(ii) accommodation plan, developed pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, as amended; or
(e) any other excuse established as valid by a local school board, local charter board, or
school district.
Legislative Review Note
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel