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Senate approves bill removing misdemeanor penalty for parental truancy after extended debate
Summary
The Utah Senate on day 23 passed Senate Bill 45 to remove misdemeanor penalties for parents who keep children out of school, 22–5. Sponsors said the change emphasizes support over coercion; opponents warned it removes a tool to ensure attendance. The bill moves to the House.
The Utah State Senate voted to pass Senate Bill 45, a measure that removes misdemeanor criminal penalties for parents who fail to ensure children attend school. Senator Jackson, the bill sponsor, framed the change as a matter of principle and parental support, saying it is time to "replace 'nanny state'... with the words of personal responsibility and freedom" and that "punishing parents... violates that basic principle that the virtues of education should be advanced through persuasion, not coercion or force."
Why it matters: The bill alters how the state treats parental truancy, shifting enforcement away from…
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