Attendance Law (Becca Law)

OVERVIEW:
Washington State's "Becca" Truancy Regulations & Policies 

In brief, Becca truancy laws require schools to:

• Inform parents in writing or by phone after one unexcused absence in one month
• Schedule a parent conference after two unexcused absences in one month
• Enter into a formal agreement with the student and parent regarding attendance; or, referral to a Community Truancy Board; or, file a truancy petition, if a student has five unexcused absences in a month
• File a truancy petition with the juvenile court if a student has seven unexcused absences in a month, or ten unexcused absences in a year
• File a contempt motion if a student is not in compliance with a court order resulting from a truancy petition

Becca truancy laws also require the juvenile court to:

• Process petitions filed by school districts
• Schedule hearings alleging truancy, and notify parents and student of the hearing, their options and rights, and may require their attendance
• Grant petitions and assume jurisdiction for any period of time deemed necessary if the facts (by a preponderance of evidence) support the petition
• The court may order attendance at current school, alternative school, another public school, a skill center, drop-out prevention program, a private school or education center, referral to a Community Truancy Board, or completion of a drug assessment test
• Schedule hearings alleging non-compliance with court orders, requiring access to legal representation for the student. Parents may also request legal representation
• The court may order a student to report to county detention, impose alternatives to detention, or order parents to perform community service or pay a fine of up to $25 per day for each unexcused absence, if the court rules that a student or parent violated the court order