Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Truancy Law topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Keizer moves to amend truancy code to align with state law; ordinance clears first reading
Summary
The City Council voted 5–1 to adopt an ordinance amending Keizer code 26‑6 to align local truancy enforcement with recent state changes; the ordinance will return for a second reading Sept. 15.
The Keizer City Council on Sept. 2 voted to adopt, on first reading, an ordinance amending the city's truancy code (Keizer Code section 26‑6) to bring local policy into alignment with changes in Oregon law.
City Attorney/Law Department staff explained the 2014 code gave police authority to take children into custody when they were truant and to refer them to school or juvenile services. Changes at the state level limit fining minors for truancy and emphasize educational and referral responses.
Council President Starr moved adoption of Ordinance No. 2025 (relating to truancy and amending Keizer Code 26‑6). The motion was seconded and passed on a roll call of five in favor, one opposed (Mayor Clark) and one absence (Councilor Cross). Council members said the change was intended to remove the possibility of fining minors and to keep Keizer's code congruent with state law. The ordinance will return to the council for a required second reading on Sept. 15.
City staff said the code change seeks to preserve tools for police to reunite minors with school or guardians and to refer chronic cases to juvenile services while avoiding penalties the state now restricts for minors.
No amendments to the draft ordinance were made at first reading.
