Ch. 551

2004 LAWS OF MARYLAND

Annotated Code of Maryland

(2001 Replacement Volume and 2003 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings

SUBTITLE 8C. TRUANCY REDUCTION PILOT PROGRAM.

3-8C-01.

(A) THIS SUBTITLE APPLIES ONLY IN DORCHESTER COUNTY, SOMERSET
COUNTY, WICOMICO COUNTY, AND WORCESTER COUNTY.

3-8C-02.

(B) (1) THE CIRCUIT ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE OF THE FIRST CIRCUIT SHALL
MAY ESTABLISH A TRUANCY REDUCTION PILOT PROGRAM IN ONE OR MORE OF THE
CIRCUIT JUVENILE COURTS OF IN DORCHESTER COUNTY, SOMERSET COUNTY,
WICOMICO COUNTY, AND WORCESTER COUNTY.

(2) THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR
THE COUNTY SHALL ASSIGN TO A TRUANCY DOCKET ALL;

(I) PETITIONS FILED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE ALLEGING THAT A
CHILD WHO IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND SCHOOL FAILS TO ATTEND SCHOOL WITHOUT

LAWFUL EXCUSE; AND

(II) CRIMINAL CASES ARISING UNDER THE COMPULSORY
ATTENDANCE LAWS OF THE STATE UNDER § 7-301 OF THE EDUCATION ARTICLE.

3-8C-02. 3-8C-03.

(A)     A CHILD WHO IS REQUIRED UNDER § 7-301 OF THE EDUCATION ARTICLE
TO ATTEND SCHOOL IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 7-301 OF THE EDUCATION ARTICLE
MAY NOT FAIL TO ATTEND SCHOOL DO SO WITHOUT LAWFUL EXCUSE.

(B)     A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION IS A CODE VIOLATION AND IS A CIVIL
OFFENSE.

(C)     ADJUDICATION OF A CODE VIOLATION UNDER THIS SECTION IS NOT A
CRIMINAL CONVICTION FOR ANY PURPOSE AND DOES NOT IMPOSE ANY OF THE CIVIL
DISABILITIES ORDINARILY IMPOSED BY A CRIMINAL CONVICTION.

3-8C-03. 3-8C-04.

(A)     AN AUTHORIZED SCHOOL OFFICIAL MAY FILE WITH THE JUVENILE
COURT A PETITION ALLEGING THAT A CHILD WHO IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND SCHOOL
FAILS TO ATTEND SCHOOL WITHOUT LAWFUL EXCUSE SHALL BE FILED IN CIRCUIT
COURT BY AN AUTHORIZED SCHOOL OFFICIAL A VIOLATION OF THIS SUBTITLE.

(B)     IF A CHILD IS UNDER THE AGE OF 12 YEARS, AN AUTHORIZED SCHOOL
OFFICIAL MAY NOT FILE A PETITION UNDER THIS SUBTITLE UNLESS ONLY IF:

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