HLS 10RS-1356 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE BILL NO. 422
BY REPRESENTATIVE DOWNS
STUDENT/SCH ATTENDANCE: Provides relative to children exempted from the
compulsory school attendance law
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 17:226(A), relative to exemptions from compulsory school2
attendance; to remove exemption for certain children deemed unable to perform3
school duties or profit from school experience; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 17:226(A) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: 6
ยง226. Exemptions from compulsory attendance7
A. The following classes of children provided for in this Section who are8
temporarily excused from school shall be exempted from the provisions of this9
Subpart:10
(1) Children mentally, physically, or emotionally incapacitated to perform11
school duties, and children unable to profit from further school experience, such12
exemptions to be certified in writing by a psychiatrist, psychologist, recognized13
evaluation center or clinic, or other professionally qualified person or agency14
designated by the city, parish, or other local public school board.15
(2) Children temporarily excused from school, as follows:16
(a) Children who are personally ill and whose attendance in school would17
endanger their own health or that of their classmates, each city, parish, or other local18
public school board being hereby authorized to adopt and promulgate or publish such19
resolutions as may seem wise and proper regarding the requirement of a certificate20 HLS 10RS-1356 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 422
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from a physician or nurse practitioner licensed to practice in the state in1
substantiation of the absence of children under this authorization of temporary2
absence.3
(b) (2) Children in whose families there is serious illness which would4
reasonably necessitate the absence from school if, in the judgment of the visiting5
teacher or supervisor of child welfare and attendance, such absence is justified, or6
if the illness is substantiated in writing by a physician or nurse practitioner licensed7
to practice in the state.8
(c) (3) Children in whose immediate family a death has occurred, such9
absence not to exceed one week because of and at the time of such death.10
(d) (4) Children whose religious faith requires absence for the observance11
of special and recognized holidays of the child's own faith.12
(e)(i) (5)(a) A child whose parent is a member of the United States Armed13
Forces or the National Guard of a state and such parent has been called to duty for14
or is on leave from overseas deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting15
shall be granted excused absences, not to exceed five school days per school year,16
for the day or days missed from school for the child to visit with his parent prior to17
the parent's deployment or during the parent's leave and, upon returning to school,18
shall be permitted to complete all class assignments, including all tests, missed while19
the child was absent pursuant to the provisions of this Item.20
(ii) (b) For the purposes of this Subparagraph, Paragraph, the term "parent"21
shall mean the person responsible by law for the child's school attendance.22
* * *23
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Downs HB No. 422
Abstract: Deletes exemption from compulsory school attendance laws for children deemed
to be mentally, physically, or emotionally unable to perform school duties or unable
to profit from school experience. HLS 10RS-1356 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 422
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Present law exempts certain children from provisions of state law relative to school
attendance, including children mentally, physically, or emotionally incapacitated to perform
school duties and children unable to profit from further school experience, as certified by a
psychiatrist, psychologist, recognized evaluation center or clinic, or other professionally
qualified person or agency. Proposed law deletes this exemption.
(Amends R.S. 17:226(A))