§3271. Compulsory attendance at school
1.
Required attendance.
Persons residing in the unorganized territory who are at least 6 years of age and under 17 years of age shall attend a public day elementary or secondary school or an approved private school during the time it is in session.
[PL 2019, c. 508, §1 (AMD).]
1-A.
Attendance of persons 5 years of age or older and under 6 years of age.
A person 5 years of age or older and under 6 years of age who is enrolled in and who has not withdrawn from a public day school is required to attend that school during the time it is in session.
[PL 2019, c. 508, §2 (AMD).]
2.
Alternative instruction.
Alternative instruction may be substituted for attendance in a day school in the following cases when approved by the school principal. A person 5 years of age or older and under 6 years of age is not required to meet the requirements of this subsection.
A.
The person is enrolled in an approved special education program.
[PL 1985, c. 490, §8 (NEW).]
B.
The person obtains equivalent instruction through alternative learning or in any other manner arranged or approved by the commissioner.
[PL 2007, c. 667, §4 (AMD).]
C.
[PL 1989, c. 415, §3 (RP).]
[PL 2019, c. 508, §3 (AMD).]
3.
Exceptions.
Attendance at school or an alternative education program is not required of:
A.
A person who has graduated from high school before the person's 17th birthday;
[PL 2007, c. 667, §5 (AMD).]
B.
A person who has attained at least 15 years of age, has completed the 9th grade and has permission to leave school to participate in a suitable program of training or combined work and study from a parent and the commissioner;
[PL 2025, c. 437, §3 (AMD).]
C.
A person who has been adjudged a truant and has been excused from attendance pursuant to procedures established by the commissioner; or
[PL 2025, c. 437, §3 (AMD).]
D.
A person who has matriculated and is attending an accredited postsecondary degree‑granting institution as a full‑time student. An exception to attendance in public school under this paragraph must be approved by the commissioner.
[PL 2025, c. 437, §3 (NEW).]
[PL 2025, c. 437, §3 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1985, c. 490, §8 (NEW). PL 1989, c. 415, §§3,4 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 667, §§4, 5 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 614, §8 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 235, §§1, 2 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 508, §§1-3 (AMD). PL 2025, c. 437, §3 (AMD).