Amendment to NH Senate Bill 55

an act raising the age at which a child may terminate his or her public education


last updated 04/06/03, 11:00AM


Please remember that this amends the bill, not the law.

From Senate Calendar No. 14, dated 03/14/04, pp. 4 & 5

Senate Education
March 13, 2003
2003-0710s
04/10

Amendment to SB 55-FN

Amend the bill by replacing sections 2-4 with the following:

2 Pupils; Compulsory Attendance. Amend RSA 193:1, IV to read as follows:

IV. [Any] Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any child [at least 16] under 18 years of age [and under 18 years of age] who has not attained sufficient credit to receive a high school diploma or its equivalent, and who wishes to terminate such child’s public or nonpublic education prior to graduating from high school shall do so only after a conference with the principal, or designee. A school district shall develop a policy to permit withdrawal under this paragraph. The principal shall request a conference with the parent, guardian, or other custodian. Written approval of withdrawal must be received from such child’s parent, guardian, or other person residing in the state and having custody or charge of such child. The written approval shall be dated and the signature witnessed by the principal of the school where the child is in attendance, or the principal’s designee.

3 Truant Officers; Duties. Amend RSA 189:36 to read as follows:

189:36 Duties. Truant officers shall, when directed by the school board, enforce the laws and regulations relating to truants and children [between the ages of 8] at least 6 years of age and [16] under 18 years of age not attending school and without any regular and lawful occupation; and the laws relating to the attendance at school of children [between the ages of 8] at least 6 years of age and under 18 years of age; and shall have authority without a warrant to take and place in school any children found employed contrary to the laws relating to the employment of children, or violating the laws relating to the compulsory attendance at school of children under the age of 18 years, and the laws relating to child labor.

4 Pupils; Bylaws as to Nonattendance. Amend RSA 193:16 to read as follows:

193:16 Bylaws as to Nonattendance. Districts may make bylaws, not repugnant to law, concerning habitual truants and children [between the ages of] at least 6 years of age and [16] under 18 years of age not attending school and not having a regular and lawful occupation, and to compel the attendance of such children at school; failure to comply with such bylaws shall constitute a violation for each offense.

Roll Call Vote on Amendment

From Senate Journal No. 9, 03/24/03

Question is on the adoption of the committee amendment.

A roll call was requested by Senator O’Hearn.

Seconded by Senator Sapareto.

The following Senators voted Yes: Johnson, Kenney, Below, Flanders, Odell, Peterson, O’Hearn, Foster, Larsen, D’Allesandro, Estabrook, Cohen.

The following Senators voted No: Gallus, Boyce, Green, Roberge, Clegg, Gatsas, Barnes, Martel, Sapareto, Morse.

Yeas: 12 - Nays: 10

Amendment adopted.