Bill Text: HI HB2615 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Education; Compulsory Attendance; Age

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-2)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-27 - Referred to EDN, FIN, referral sheet 7 [HB2615 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-HB2615-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2615
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to education.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that education is crucial for a child's development and should be a top priority for the State.  The legislature also finds that truancy is a major issue in high schools, and leads to poor student academic performance and lower aspirations for higher education.

     The legislature finds that increasing the age for compulsory attendance at public or private schools will enable students in the State to receive more education to succeed in life.

     The purpose of this Act is to increase the age for compulsory attendance at public or private schools from sixteen years of age to eighteen years of age.

     SECTION 2.  Section 302A-1132, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  Unless excluded from school or excepted from attendance, all children who will have arrived at the age of at least six years, and who will not have arrived at the age of eighteen years, by January 1 of any school year, shall attend either a public or private school for, and during, the school year, and any parent, guardian, or other person having the responsibility for, or care of, a child whose attendance at school is obligatory shall send the child to either a public or private school.  Attendance at a public or private school shall not be compulsory in the following cases:

     (1)  Where the child is physically or mentally unable to attend school (deafness and blindness excepted), of which fact the certificate of a duly licensed physician shall be sufficient evidence;

     (2)  Where the child, who has reached the fifteenth anniversary of birth, is suitably employed and has been excused from school attendance by the superintendent or the superintendent's authorized representative, or by a family court judge;

     (3)  Where, upon investigation by the family court, it has been shown that for any other reason the child may properly remain away from school;

     (4)  Where the child has graduated from high school;

     (5)  Where the child is enrolled in an appropriate alternative educational program as approved by the superintendent or the superintendent's authorized representative in accordance with the plans and policies of the department, or notification of intent to home school has been submitted to the principal of the public school that the child would otherwise be required to attend in accordance with department rules adopted to achieve this result; or

     (6)  Where:

         (A)  The child has attained the age of [sixteen] eighteen years;

         (B)  The principal has determined that:

              (i)  The child has engaged in behavior which is disruptive to other students, teachers, or staff; or

             (ii)  The child's non-attendance is chronic and has become a significant factor that hinders the child's learning; and

         (C)  The principal of the child's school, and the child's teacher or counselor, in consultation with the child and the child's parent, guardian, or other adult having legal responsibility for or care of the child, develops an alternative educational plan for the child.  The alternative educational plan shall include a process that shall permit the child to resume school.

          The principal of the child's school shall file the plan made pursuant to subparagraph (C) with the child's school record.  If the adult having legal responsibility for or care of the child disagrees with the plan, then the adult shall be responsible for obtaining appropriate educational services for the child."

     SECTION 3.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Education; Compulsory Attendance; Age

 

Description:

Increases the age requirement for compulsory attendance at public or private schools from 16 years to 18 years.

 

 

 

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