CO SB184

Detention sentences for juveniles who violate court-ordered school attendance do not improve attendance rates and do not address underlying causes of truancy.

Chief judges in each judicial district must convene community stakeholder meetings by March 15, 2016 to create policies addressing truancy cases that prioritize alternatives to detention.

Community stakeholders must include parents, school districts, human services, law enforcement, mental health providers, substance abuse treatment providers, and state departments of public safety, human services, and education.

Chief judges must adopt truancy policies considering best practices from other jurisdictions, evidence-based practices, reasonable sanctions and incentives, and detention only as a last resort with reduced time served.

The State Court Administrator's Office must report to the Legislature by April 15, 2016 on the truancy policies adopted by each judicial district.