SB 901
Creating truancy pre-trial diversion program
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill establishes a truancy pre-trial diversion program in West Virginia, offering parents, guardians, and custodians an opportunity to avoid criminal charges if they address the reasons for their child’s truancy and improve school attendance. The program allows for delays in sentencing to provide time for families to receive support services, and it requires court judges to consider offering home-based family preservation services to families with truant children. The bill also clarifies penalties for truancy and addresses situations where a child is 18 years of age or older.
Key provisions
- Creates a truancy pre-trial diversion program for parents, guardians, and custodians of truant children.
- Allows for delays in sentencing to provide time for families to address the causes of truancy.
- Requires magistrates and circuit court judges to consider offering home-based family preservation services to families of truant children.
- Defines eligibility criteria for the diversion program.
- Specifies penalties for truancy offenses, including fines and potential jail time.
- Addresses truancy offenses for individuals 18 years of age or older.
- Establishes a process for excused absences and clarifies their impact on truancy determinations.
- Requires a 90-day delay in sentencing for first-time offenders convicted of truancy.
Who is affected
- Parents
- Guardians
- Custodians
- Children (under 18)
- School officials
Notable changes
Sponsors
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Primary sponsor
Smith (Mr. President)
Cosponsor
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