SB 9 Summary

• Raises the compulsory school attendance age from 16 to 18 years old, requiring children ages 6 to 18 to attend public school during each school term.

• Changes the crime of contributing to the delinquency of a minor to include encouraging children under 18 (rather than under 16) to be repeatedly absent from school without just cause.

• Lowers the starting age for compulsory school attendance from age 7 to age 6, making kindergarten-age children subject to attendance requirements.

• Maintains existing exemptions from compulsory attendance including homeschooling, private school with certified teachers, medical conditions, suspension or expulsion, and distance greater than two miles from school.

• Adds an affirmative defense for taking custody of a child if the person reasonably believed the child was in danger and notified law enforcement or the Department of Health and Social Services within 12 hours.