53A-11-101 - Definitions.
53A-11-101. Definitions.
For purposes of this part:
(1) (a) "Absence" or "absent" means, consistent with Subsection (1)(b), failure of aschool-age minor assigned to a class or class period to attend the entire class or class period.
(b) A school-age minor may not be considered absent under this part more than one timeduring one day.
(2) "Habitual truant" means a school-age minor who:
(a) is at least 12 years old;
(b) is subject to the requirements of Section 53A-11-101.5; and
(c) (i) is truant at least 10 times during one school year; or
(ii) fails to cooperate with efforts on the part of school authorities to resolve the minor'sattendance problem as required under Section 53A-11-103.
(3) "Minor" means a person under the age of 18 years.
(4) "Parent" includes:
(a) a custodial parent of the minor;
(b) a legally appointed guardian of a minor; or
(c) any other person purporting to exercise any authority over the minor which could beexercised by a person described in Subsection (4)(a) or (b).
(5) "School-age minor" means a minor who:
(a) is at least six years old, but younger than 18 years old; and
(b) is not emancipated.
(6) "School year" means the period of time designated by a local school board or localcharter board as the school year for the school where the school-age minor:
(a) is enrolled; or
(b) should be enrolled, if the school-age minor is not enrolled in school.
(7) "Truant" means absent without a valid excuse.
(8) "Truant minor" means a school-age minor who:
(a) is subject to the requirements of Section 53A-11-101.5 or 53A-11-101.7; and
(b) is truant.
(9) "Valid excuse" means:
(a) an illness;
(b) a family death;
(c) an approved school activity;
(d) an absence permitted by a school-age minor's:
(i) individualized education program, developed pursuant to the Individuals withDisabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, as amended; or
(ii) accommodation plan, developed pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of1973, as amended; or
(e) any other excuse established as valid by a local school board, local charter board, orschool district.
Amended by Chapter 81, 2007 General Session