Bill > A4287

This bill amends existing New Jersey law to raise the age requirement for compulsory school attendance from 16 to 18 years old, or until a student graduates from high school, whichever comes first. This means parents or guardians will be legally required to ensure their children attend school until they turn 18 or complete their high school education. The bill also clarifies that children who are required to attend school under these new provisions and are repeatedly absent, found away from school during school hours without a valid reason, or are incorrigible, vagrant, vicious, or immoral in conduct, will be considered juvenile delinquents. Attendance officers will be empowered to take truant children to their parents or schools, and parents or guardians who fail to comply with these attendance requirements will be considered disorderly persons, subject to fines. However, this change will not affect students who had already entered the ninth grade before the bill becomes law.