§ 3-33.5 — Truant minors in need of supervision

Illinois § 3-33.5

• Jurisdiction: Illinois
• Topic: RIGHTS AND REMEDIES
• Ch. 705: COURTS
• Act 705 ILCS 405/: Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
• Art.: Article III - Minors Requiring Authoritative Intervention

Text

(a) Definition. A minor who is reported by the office of the regional superintendent of schools as a chronic truant may be subject to a petition for adjudication and adjudged a truant minor in need of supervision, provided that prior to the filing of the petition, the office of the regional superintendent of schools or a community truancy review board certifies that the local school has provided appropriate truancy intervention services to the truant minor and the minor's family. For purposes of this Section, "truancy intervention services" means services designed to assist the minor's return to an educational program, and includes, but is not limited to: assessments, counseling, mental health services, shelter, optional and alternative education programs, tutoring, and educational advocacy. If, after review by the regional office of education or community truancy review board, it is determined the local school did not provide the appropriate interventions, then the minor shall be referred to a comprehensive community based youth service agency for truancy intervention services. If the comprehensive community based youth service agency is incapable to provide intervention services, then this requirement for services is not applicable. The comprehensive community based youth service agency shall submit reports to the office of the regional superintendent of schools or truancy review board within 20, 40, and 80 school days of the initial referral or at any other time requested by the office of the regional superintendent of schools or truancy review board, which reports each shall certify the date of the minor's referral and the extent of the minor's progress and participation in truancy intervention services provided by the comprehensive community based youth service agency. In addition, if, after referral by the office of the regional superintendent of schools or community truancy review board, the minor declines or refuses to fully participate in truancy intervention services provided by the comprehensive community based youth service agency, then the agency shall immediately certify such facts to the office of the regional superintendent of schools or community truancy review board. (a-1) There is a rebuttable presumption that a chronic truant is a truant minor in need of supervision. (a-2) There is a rebuttable presumption that school records of a minor's attendance at school are authentic. (a-3) For purposes of this Section, "chronic truant" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 26-2a of the School Code. (a-4) For purposes of this Section, a "community truancy review board" is a local community based board comprised of, but not limited to: representatives from local comprehensive community based youth service agencies, representatives from court service agencies, representatives from local schools, representatives from health service agencies, and representatives from local professional and community organizations as deemed appropriate by the office of the regional superintendent of schools. The regional superintendent of schools must approve the establishment and organization of a community truancy review board, and the regional superintendent of schools or the regional superintendent's designee shall chair the board. (a-5) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to create a private cause of action or right of recovery against a regional office of education, its superintendent, or its staff with respect to truancy intervention services where the determination to provide the services is made in good faith. (b) Kinds of dispositional orders. A minor found to be a truant minor in need of supervision may be: (1) committed to the appropriate regional superintendent of schools for a student assistance team staffing, a service plan, or referral to a comprehensive community based youth service agency; (2) required to comply with a service plan as specifically provided by the appropriate regional superintendent of schools; (3) ordered to obtain counseling or other supportive services; (4) (blank); (5) required to perform some reasonable public service work that does not interfere with school hours, school-related activities, or work commitments of the minor or the minor's parent, guardian, or legal custodian; or (6) (blank). A dispositional order may include public service only if the court has made an express written finding that a truancy prevention program has been offered by the school, regional superintendent of schools, or a comprehensive community based youth service agency to the truant minor in need of supervision. (c) Orders entered under this Section may be enforced by contempt proceedings. Fines or assessments, such as fees or administrative costs, shall not be ordered or imposed in contempt proceedings under this Section.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 102-456, eff. 1-1-22; 103-22, eff. 8-8-23; 103-379, eff. 7-28-23; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24.)