Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 20. EDUCATION

CHAPTER 5. PUPILS

Part 1. Attendance

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:

(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).

History: En. 75-6304 by Sec. 117, Ch. 5, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 266, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6304; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 504, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 294, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 316, L. 2021; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 693, L. 2023.