Truancy Bill Goes Too Far
    Senate Bill 536, introduced by Senator Ward Crutchfield (D-10), is an effort to expand the authority of public school officials in combating truancy, but Home School Legal Defense Association is of the opinion that it goes too far in granting additional power to these officials. For example, if a local superintendent or his designee believed that a child was guilty of truancy, he would have the authority to require a meeting with the child and the parent or guardian. If the parent or guardian failed to attend the meeting with the superintendent or his designee, this school official could file a truancy petition with the local juvenile court. This bill would also authorize the local superintendent or his designee to go to a child’s home to ascertain why the child has been absent from public school. Given the potential for abuse of power by public school officials who may use such a law to harass and prosecute families whom the officials believe are not complying with the home school law, HSLDA opposes this legislation. House Bill 1065, companion bill to S.B. 536, contains the same provisions and should be opposed as well.