ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 322

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JANUARY 29, 1996

      The Assembly Education Committee favorably reports Assembly Bill No. 322.

      This bill increases the penalty for failure by a parent or guardian to ensure that a child between the ages of six and sixteen attends school to a petty disorderly persons offense. A petty disorderly persons offense is punishable by a fine of up to $500, 30 days imprisonment, or both. Currently such a parent or guardian may be fined up to $25 for a first offense and up to $100 for each subsequent offense. The bill also provides that a court may infer that a parent, guardian, or other person having charge and control of a child will be subject to the penalty provided for in the bill for failure to assure that child's attendance at school if the child has ten or more unexcused absences.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 1996 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.