Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §5051, sub-§2, ¶A-1, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 415, §19, is amended to read:

A-1. As part of the informal measures set out in paragraph A, the superintendent may ask the student's parents to attend a series of meetings with their child's teacher or other school personnel designated by the superintendent. The purpose of the meetings is to describe the education program to the parents and explain the value of their child attending an educational program, including, but not limited to, school, adult education, a high school equivalency degree program and other alternative education programs. The superintendent shall arrange meeting times convenient to the parents.

Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §5051, sub-§2, ¶F, as amended by PL 1995, c. 124, §1, is further amended to read:

F. When a student is determined habitually truant and in violation of section 5001-A and the superintendent has made a good faith attempt to meet the requirements of paragraph A-l, the school board superintendent may notify the local law enforcement department of the decision. After this notification, a local law enforcement officer who sees a that truant may offer to transport the truant to the appropriate school if the truant and after the officer attempts to obtain the consent of the truant's parent or guardian provide verbal consent and if the truant:

(1) Is off school grounds during school hours; and

(2) Is not under the supervision of school personnel.

SUMMARY

This bill amends the law regarding truancy by:

1. Permitting the superintendent of the school district to meet with the parents or guardian of a truant student and explain the benefits of attending alternative education programs as well as school;

2. Allowing the superintendent, instead of the school board, to notify the local law enforcement department that a student has been declared habitually truant, thus enabling a police officer to transport the student, after attempting to obtain the permission of the student's parents or guardian, to school if the officer sees the student off school grounds during school hours.