An Act To Amend Truancy Laws Regarding Parent Involvement
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 0454
Committee Amendment CA_A_H168 (House)
Amends: 20-A MRSA §3273

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "Ii " 
to H.P. 353, L.D. 454, Bill, "An Act To 
Amend Truancy Laws Regarding Parent Involvement" 
Amend the bill in section 1 in subsection 2 in paragraph B in the first line (page 1, 
line 9 in L.D.) by striking out the following: "over 6" and inserting the following: 'at least 
l' 
Amend the bill in section 2 in subsection 3 in paragraph B in the last line (page 1, line 
in L.D.) by striking out the following: "and has prior approval or reporting" and 
inserting the following: 'and the absence has prior approval' 
Amend the bill in section 2 in subsection 3 in paragraph C in the last line (page 1, line 
in L.D.) by striking out the following: "and has prior approval or reporting" and 
inserting the following: 'and the absence has prior approval' 
Amend the bill in section 2 in subsection 3 in paragraph E in the last line (page 1, line 
in L.D.) by striking out the following: "or reporting" 
Amend the bill by inserting after section 2 the following: 
'Sec. 3. 20-A MRSA §3273, sub-§l, as repealed and replaced by PL 1989, c. 
415, §6, is repealed and the following enacted in its place: 
1. Civil violations. A parent who has control of a student who is habitually truant 
under section 3272, subsection 2, paragraph A and who is primarily responsible for that 
student's truancy commits a civil violation under this chapter. 
Sec. 4. 20-A MRSA §3273, sub-§l-A is enacted to read: 
I-A. Class E crime. A parent who has control of a student who is habitually truant 
under section 3272, subsection 2, paragraph B and who is aware of the habitual truancy 
yet fails to take corrective measures commits a Class E crime.' 
Amend the bill in section 4 in paragraph B in the first line (page 1, line 30 in L.D.) by 
inserting after the following: "Has" the following: 'completed grade 6 and has' 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~~. 
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S 
IS 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 'A " 
to H.P. 353, L.D. 454 
Amend the bill in section S in paragraph C in the first line (page 1, line 33 in L.D.) by 
striking out the following: "over 6" and inserting the following: 'at least 7' 
Amend the bill in section 8 in §SOS3-A by striking out all of subsection 1 (page 2, 
lines 2S to 28 in L.D.) and inserting the following: 
'1. Civil violation. If a parent has control of a student who is habitually truant under 
section SOSI-A, subsection 1, paragraph B and that parent is primarily responsible for 
that truancy, that parent commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $2S 
may be adjudged.' 
Amend the bill in section 8 in §S053-A by striking out all of subsection I-A (page 2, 
lines 29 to 31 in L.D.) and inserting the following: 
'I-A. Class E crime. If a parent has control of a student who is habitually truant 
under section SOSI-A, subsection 1, paragraph C and that parent is aware of the habitual 
truancy yet fails to take corrective measures, that parent commits a Class E crime.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment is the majority report of the Joint Standing Committee on Education 
and Cultural Affairs. It clarifies that the truancy provisions apply to students 7 years of 
age and older. It requires that certain excusable absences be approved in advance, instead 
of just reported. 
It corrects cross-references and includes language for enforcement 
provisions in the truancy statutes for the unorganized territories. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/20107 
~ac:.. 
LD454 
LR 471(02) 
An Act To Amend Truancy Laws Regarding Parent Involvement 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ,,~ " 
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Minor revenue increase - General Fund 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
Establishes a new Class E crime. 
The collection of additional fines may also increase General Fund revenue by minor amounts. 
LR0471 (02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1