53G-6-203. Truancy -- Notice of truancy -- Failure to cooperate with school authorities.

368 words·~2 min read·/ut/title-53g/chapter-6/53g-6-203

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Effective 7/1/2026

(1)Except as provided in Section 53G-6-204 or 53G-6-702 , a school-age child who is enrolled in a public school shall attend the public school in which the school-age child is enrolled.

(2)In accordance with Section 53G-8-211 , a local school board, charter school governing board, or school district may impose administrative penalties on a school-age child who is:

(a)in grade 7 or above, unless the school-age child is less than 12 years old; and

(b)truant.

(3)An LEA governing board:

(a)may authorize a school administrator, a designee of a school administrator, a law enforcement officer acting as a school resource officer, or a truancy specialist to issue a notice of truancy in accordance with Subsection

(4); and

(b)shall establish a procedure for a school-age child, or the school-age child's parents, to contest a notice of truancy.

(4)A notice of truancy described in Subsection

(3):

(a)may not be issued until a school-age child has been truant at least five times during the school year;

(b)may not be issued to a school-age child who is less than 12 years old or in a grade below grade 7;

(c)may not be issued to a school-age child exempt from school attendance as provided in Section 53G-6-204 or 53G-6-702 ;

(d)shall direct the school-age child who receives the notice of truancy and the parent of the school-age child to:

(i)meet with school authorities to discuss the school-age child's truancies; and

(ii)cooperate with the LEA governing board, or school district in securing regular attendance by the school-age child; and

(e)shall be mailed to, or served on, the school-age child's parent.

(5)Nothing in this part prohibits a local governing board or LEA official from taking action to resolve a truancy problem with a school-age child who has been truant fewer than five times, provided that the action does not conflict with the requirements of this part.

(6)An LEA shall maintain records of each notice of truancy issued and any resulting referrals and general outcomes.

Amended by Chapter 218 , 2026 General Session