The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Cheryl A. Coakley-Rivera

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
                Court assembled:

                The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the passage of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to diverting students to truancy programs.

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PETITION OF:

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand and Nine

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An Act relative to diverting students to truancy programs.

                Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

Section 1.  Section 39E of chapter 119 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following language after the word “merits” In line 47:-

Notwithstanding the assignment of a probation officer to assist a child who is involved in proceedings conducted pursuant to sections 39E through 39J, the matter shall not be deemed a “probation case” for purposes of reporting records to the criminal offender record information system pursuant to General Laws chapter 6, section 168A.

Section 2.  Chapter 69 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding after section 1N the following new section:-

 Section 1O. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall promulgate regulations establishing a truancy prevention program certification process.  School districts may establish a truancy prevention program which meets the requirements for certification by the department and apply to the department for certification. 

Grants may be awarded to assist schools in planning and implementing truancy prevention programs which meet the certification requirements established pursuant to this section.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall promulgate regulations establishing a truancy prevention program certification process.  School districts may establish a truancy prevention program which meets the requirements for certification by the department and apply to the department for certification. 

Grants may be awarded to assist schools in planning and implementing truancy prevention programs which meet the certification requirements established pursuant to this section.