Requires youth holding operator's licenses or permits to maintain good school attendance

BILL NUMBER:S6482

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the education law, in relation to requiring youth holding operator's licenses or permits to maintain good school attendance

Purpose

Requires persons under eighteen to maintain good attendance at school in order to be eligible for a learner's permit or driver's license

Summary of provisions

This bill would amend the vehicle and traffic law by creating a new subdivision that would mandate that no license or learner's permit shall be issued to or retained by a person under the age of eighteen unless they hold a high school diploma or are enrolled in and attending an educational program and hold a valid, current certificate of good attendance from such school program. This bill also amends the education law by adding a new section that mandates that students in high school comply with their school's attendance policies in order to obtain a certificate of good school attendance. This certificate is necessary to obtain a learner's permit or driver's license. Exemptions from these provisions include situations in which the pupil is unable to pursue the educational program due to disability, the pupil is unable to pursue the educational program due to his or her providing care or services to a disabled parent, or the pupil needs a license or permit to operate a motor vehicle due to his or her employment needs or those of a member of his or her family.

Justification

This bill aims to reduce absenteeism, truancy and the dropout rate by targeting an area that students are concerned with the most, the ability to drive, High school students would lose their driving privileges or their ability to apply for a driver's license if they failed to meet their school district's attendance policy. Once they are in good standing again with regard to attendance requirements, their licenses can be reinstated.

Legislative history

2003-04: A.5901/S.1376 2005-06: A.5008/S.63 2007-08: A.102/S.190

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law; provided that the commissioners of motor vehicles and education are authorized to promulgate any and all rules and regulations and take any other measures necessary to implement this act on its effective date on or before such date.