Indiana § 20-33-2-15 - Attendance exceptions

§ 20-33-2-15. Attendance exceptions

Sec. 15. (a) Each school corporation, charter school, and accredited nonpublic school shall authorize the absence and excuse of each student who is absent for any of the following:

(1) The student serves as a page for or as an honoree of the general assembly.

(2) The student serves on the precinct election board.

(3) The student works as a helper to a political candidate or to a political party on the date of each general, city or town, special, and primary election at which the student works.

(4) The student appears in court in response to a subpoena to appear in court as a witness in a judicial proceeding.

(5) The student is:

(A) not a habitual truant; and

(B) ordered to active duty with the armed forces of the United States, including their reserve components, or the Indiana National Guard for not more than fifteen (15) instructional days in a school year.

However, the school corporation, charter school, or accredited nonpublic school may authorize additional excused absences for a student ordered to active duty.

(6) The student is:

(A) a member of the Indiana wing of the civil air patrol; and

(B) participating in a civil air patrol:

(i) international air cadet exchange program for the length of the program; or

(ii) emergency service operation for not more than five (5) instructional days in a school year.

(7) The student participates or exhibits in the Indiana state fair for educational purposes. However, the number of excused absences a student may receive under this subdivision may not exceed five (5) instructional days in a school year.

(8) The student participates in a scheduled competition, exhibition, or event offered by:

(A) the National FFA Organization;

(B) the Indiana FFA Association; or

(C) a 4-H club.

However, the number of excused absences a student may receive under this subdivision may not exceed a total of six (6) instructional days in a school year.

(b) If a school corporation, charter school, or accredited nonpublic school authorizes the absence and excuse of a student for a nonclassroom related activity that is organized or facilitated by the school, the school shall send, at least one (1) full school day before the nonclassroom related activity occurs, a parent of the student a written notification regarding the nonclassroom related activity that includes:

(1) a description of the activity; and

(2) the anticipated date and time that the activity is scheduled to occur.

(c) For a student to receive an excused absence under subsection (a)(6) through (a)(8), the student must be in good academic standing, as determined by the school corporation, charter school, or accredited nonpublic school.

(d) A student excused from school attendance under subsection (a) may not be recorded as being absent on any date for which the excuse is operative and may not be penalized by the school in any manner.

(e) The appropriate school authority shall request relevant documentation verifying a student's participation in an activity listed in subsection (a).

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-8.1-3-18(b).]

As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.74-2026, SEC.129.