Assigned to ED FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1044
student discipline; nonattendance; suspension; requirements
Purpose
Requires a person who suspends a student for nonattendance to transfer the pupil to a
location isolated from other pupils and provide the student with academic work.
Background
It is unlawful for a child who is between 6 and 16 years old to fail to attend school during
school hours unless the child is excused, accompanied by a parent or person authorized by a parent,
or provided with instruction in a homeschool. A child who is habitually truant or has excessive
absences may be adjudicated an incorrigible child. Truant is an unexcused absence for at least one
class period during the day. Absences may be considered excessive when the number of absent
days exceeds 10 percent of required attendance days (A.R.S. § 15-803).
A school district governing board (governing board) must prescribe rules for the discipline,
suspension and expulsion of pupils, including penalties for excessive pupil absenteeism, and each
principal must distribute the rules to parents and students. A school superintendent, principal or
school official authorized by the governing board may suspend a pupil from school. In schools
without a superintendent or principal, a teacher may suspend a pupil. All cases of suspension must
be for good cause and reported within five days to the governing board by the person who imposed
the suspension. A school district or charter school may suspend or expel a pupil in kindergarten
through fourth grade only if: 1) the pupil is at least seven years old and engaged in specified
conduct; 2) the school district or charter school considers alternative behavioral or disciplinary
intervention; and 3) the policy provides readmission procedures as outlined (A.R.S. § 15-843).
Suspension is the temporary withdrawal of the privilege of attending a school for a
specified period of time (A.R.S § 15-807).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires a school superintendent or person imposing a suspension on a pupil for
nonattendance, including being truant or having an unexcused absence for less than one class
period, to:
a) transfer the student to a location isolated from other students on school premises; and
b) provide the student with academic work during the suspension period.
2. Specifies that a suspension for nonattendance may be provided during or after school hours.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 23, 2023
LB/KT/slp