24 Pa. Stat. § 13-1333.2

Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-111
Section 13-1333.2 - Procedure upon filing of citation
(a) The venue for the filing of a citation under section 1333.1 shall be based on the location of the school in which the child is enrolled or shall be enrolled except where section 1327.2(b) applies.
(b) When a citation is filed against a child or a person in parental relation who resides in the same household as the child under the provisions of section 1333.1, the judge shall provide the following notices:
(1) Written notice of the hearing with respect to the citation to the school, the person in parental relation, the child and the county children and youth agency.
(2) Notice to the child or person in parental relation who resides in the same household as the child of the availability of a preconviction diversionary program authorized under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1520 (relating to adjudication alternative program).
(c) At the hearing with respect to the citation, the burden is on the school to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that, while subject to compulsory school attendance, the child was habitually and without justification truant from school.
(d) It shall be an affirmative defense to a citation filed under this subdivision of this article against a person in parental relation to the child who resides in the same household as the child if the person in parental relation to the child who resides in the same household as the child took every reasonable step to ensure attendance of the child at school.
(e) An affirmative defense under subsection (d) must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence.
(f) The court shall determine whether the evidence has established that a child or person in parental relation has violated the compulsory school attendance requirements of this article and shall enter that verdict on the record.
(g) The school shall, to the extent possible, inform the court of any prior conviction of the child or person in parental relation who resides in the same household as the child for a violation of the compulsory school attendance requirement of this article.
(h) Before entering a sentence the judge shall permit the school, person in parental relation or child to present relevant information that will assist the judge in making an informed decision regarding the appropriate sentence. the child's school attendance after the citation has been filed and while the proceeding is pending may be considered for the purpose of imposing a sentence.

24 P.S. § 13-1333.2

Added by P.L. TBD 2016 No. 138, § 6, eff. 11/3/2016.