Sec. 5. 20-A MRSA §5001-A, sub-§7, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 415, §17, is amended to read:

7. Purpose. Compulsory education is essential to the preservation of the rights and liberties of the people and the continued prosperity of our society and our nation. Maintaining regular student attendance is necessary to achieve the goal of an educated citizenry. Public schools should ensure the rights of access for all school-age persons to an appropriate educational opportunity and, when necessary, should shall develop alternatives to regular school curricula for those children and youth at risk of becoming dropouts and, those who may have left school and those who have been expelled.

Sec. 6. 20-A MRSA §5051, sub-§2, ¶D, as amended by PL 1989, c. 415, §19, is further amended to read:

D. If the school board determines that the student is habitually truant, it shall either:

(1) Instruct the student to attend school as required by section 5001-A and advise the parents of their responsibility under section 5001-A, subsection 5 to assure ensure the student's attendance; or

(2) Waive the requirements of section 5001-A, if the student is 15 years of age or older Treat the student as an exception under section 5001-A, subsection 2, paragraph B.

Sec. 7. 20-A MRSA §5051, sub-§2, ¶F, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 124, §1, is amended to read:

F. When a student is determined habitually truant and in violation of section 5001-A, the school board may shall notify the local law enforcement department of the decision. After this notification, a local law enforcement officer who sees a truant may offer to shall transport the truant to the appropriate school if the truant and inform the truant's parent or guardian provide verbal consent and of their responsibility under state law if the truant:

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

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

Sec. 8. 20-A MRSA §5051, sub-§2, ¶G is enacted to read: