Senate Bill 2090 Summary

• Extends Mississippi's compulsory school attendance law to apply to students through age 18 (previously age 17).

• Establishes that every day a compulsory-school-age child accumulates an unlawful absence constitutes a separate criminal violation against parents or legal guardians.

• Amends Section 97-5-39 to classify each unlawful absence as a separate misdemeanor violation under contributing to child neglect, punishable by fine up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment up to one year.

• Updates the requirement for school districts to establish alternative school programs, with the effective date changed from 2004-2005 to 2013-2014.

• Takes effect July 1, 2013.