Juveniles: truancy.

Existing law provides that a juvenile hearing officer may hear and dispose of any case in which a minor is alleged to have committed any one of specified misdemeanors or infractions. In those cases, the juvenile court is known as the Informal Juvenile and Traffic Court. Existing law also provides that a minor may be adjudged to be a ward of the juvenile court on the basis of certain noncriminal conduct, including truancy, as specified. This bill would authorize a juvenile hearing officer to hear cases in which a minor is alleged to come within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court on the basis of truancy, as specified. The bill would authorize a hearing before a juvenile hearing officer, referee, or judge to be conducted upon a written notice to appear for truancy, with the consent of the minor. The bill would prohibit a judge, referee, or juvenile hearing officer from proceeding with a hearing of a minor on the basis of truancy unless the court has been presented with evidence that the minor's school has undertaken certain actions to address the minor's truancy and the available record of previous attempts to address the minor's truancy. The bill would provide that a court in these cases may restrict the minor's driving privilege, order the minor to pay a fine of not more than $50, and order the minor to perform community service. The bill would, among other things, authorize the judge, referee, or juvenile hearing officer to give the minor the opportunity to demonstrate improved attendance before imposing those orders.