Montana Code 20-5-103. Compulsory attendance and excuses
20-5-103. Compulsory attendance and excuses. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a parent, guardian, or other person who is responsible for the care of any child who is 7 years of age or older prior to the first day of school in any school fiscal year shall ensure the child attends the school in which the child is enrolled for the school term and each school day in the term prescribed by the trustees of the district until the later of the following dates:
Terms Used In Montana Code 20-5-103
- district: means the territory, regardless of county boundaries, organized under the provisions of this title to provide public educational services under the jurisdiction of the trustees prescribed by this title. See Montana Code 20-6-101
- Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Person: includes a corporation or other entity as well as a natural person. See Montana Code 1-1-201
- school: means an institution for the teaching of children that is established and maintained under the laws of the state of Montana at public expense. See Montana Code 20-6-501
- Trustees: means the governing board of a district. See Montana Code 20-1-101
(a)the child’s 16th birthday; or
(b)the date the child completes 8th grade.
(2)The provisions of subsection (1) do not apply in the following cases:
(a)The child has been excused under one of the conditions specified in 20-5-102.
(b)The child is absent because of illness, bereavement, or other reason prescribed by the policies of the trustees.
(c)The child has been suspended or expelled under the provisions of 20-5-202.
(d)The child is excused pursuant to 20-7-120.
(e)The child is excused pursuant to 40-6-701(1) or 40-6-703(1)(d).