(a)    This section does not apply to a child under the age of 18 years who:

(1)    Has obtained a Maryland high school diploma, an equivalent out–of–state high school diploma, or a GED;

(2)    Is a student with disabilities and has completed the requirements for a Maryland high school certificate of completion;

(3)    Is receiving regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the studies usually taught in the public schools to children of the same age;

(4)    Has completed an instruction program under item (3) of this subsection;

(5)    Is severely ill and requires home or hospital instruction;

(6)    Is married;

(7)    Is in military service;

(8)    Is committed by court order to an institution without an educational program;

(9)    Provides financial support to the child’s family as documented by a local department of social services;

(10)    Subject to the approval of the county superintendent, has been expelled under § 7–305 of this subtitle;

(11)    Is pregnant or a parent and is enrolled in an alternative educational program;

(12)    Attends an alternative educational program;

(13)    Subject to written parental consent and written agreement with the county board, attends a public school on a part–time basis and attends a private career school as defined under § 10–101 of this article; or

(14)    Is waived from the provisions of this section by the State Superintendent.

(a–1)    (1)    Except as otherwise provided in this section, each child who resides in this State and is 5 years old or older and under 18 shall attend a public school regularly during the entire school year.

(2)    In accordance with regulations of the State Board of Education, a child who resides in this State and is 5 years old may be exempted from mandatory school attendance for 1 year if the child’s parent or guardian files a written request with the local school system asking that the child’s attendance be delayed due to the child’s level of maturity.

(3)    Except as provided in subsection (f) of this section or in regulations of the State Board of Education, each child who resides in this State shall attend a kindergarten program regularly during the school year prior to entering the first grade unless the child is otherwise receiving regular, thorough instruction in the skills and studies usually taught in a kindergarten program of a public school.

(b)    A county superintendent, school principal, or an individual authorized by the county superintendent or principal may excuse a student for a lawful absence.

(c)    Each person who has legal custody or care and control of a child who is 5 years old or older and under 16 shall see that the child attends school or receives instruction as required by this section.

(d)    (1)    This section applies to any child who has a mental, emotional, or physical handicap.

(2)    This section does not apply to a child:

(i)    Whose mental, emotional, or physical condition makes the child’s instruction detrimental to the child’s progress; or

(ii)    Whose presence in school presents a danger of serious physical harm to others.

(3)    With the advice of the school principal, supervisor, pupil personnel supervisor, or visiting teacher and with the written recommendation of a licensed physician or a State Department of Education certified or licensed psychologist, the county superintendent may:

(i)    Make other appropriate provisions for the free education of any student excepted from attendance under paragraph (2) of this subsection; or

(ii)    Permit the parents or guardians of that student to withdraw the child from public school, for as long as the attendance of the child in a public school would be detrimental to the child’s progress or the child’s presence in school would present a danger of serious physical harm to others.

(4)    If a child is withdrawn from a public school under this subsection, the county board shall make other appropriate provisions for the education of the child.

(5)    If an appropriate educational placement is not available immediately, the county board shall make interim provisions for the education of the child until an appropriate placement becomes available.

(e)    (1)    Any person who induces or attempts to induce a child to be absent unlawfully from school or employs or harbors any child who is absent unlawfully from school while school is in session is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not to exceed $500 or imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, or both.

(2)    Any person who has legal custody or care and control of a child who is 5 years old or older and under 16 who fails to see that the child attends school or receives instruction under this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and:

(i)    For a first conviction is subject to a fine not to exceed $50 per day of unlawful absence or imprisonment not to exceed 3 days, or both; and

(ii)    For a second or subsequent conviction is subject to a fine not to exceed $100 per day of unlawful absence or imprisonment not to exceed 5 days, or both.

(3)    In addition to the penalties provided under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the court may order a person convicted under paragraph (2) of this subsection to perform community service.

(4)    (i)    For a person with legal custody or care and control of a child at the time of an alleged violation of this section, it is an affirmative defense to a charge under this section that the person made reasonable and substantial efforts to see that the child attended school as required by law but was unable to cause the child to attend school.

(ii)    If the court finds the affirmative defense is valid, the court shall dismiss the charge under this section against the defendant.

(5)    (i)    As to any sentence imposed under this section, the court may suspend the fine or the prison sentence and establish terms and conditions that would promote the child’s attendance.

(ii)    The suspension authority provided for under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph is in addition to and not in limitation of the suspension authority under § 6–221 of the Criminal Procedure Article.

(e–1)    (1)    This subsection applies only:

(i)    In a county in which the circuit administrative judge has established a Truancy Reduction Pilot Program under § 3–8C–02 of the Courts Article; and

(ii)    To the extent that funds are provided in an annual State budget for a Truancy Reduction Pilot Program.

(2)    A charge under this section may be filed in the juvenile court and assigned to a truancy docket for disposition under Title 3, Subtitle 8C of the Courts Article.

(3)    The court may condition marking a charge under this section stet on participation of the defendant in the appropriate Truancy Reduction Pilot Program under Title 3, Subtitle 8C of the Courts Article.

(f)    A child may be exempted from attending kindergarten if a parent or guardian of the child files a written request with the local school system and verifies that the child is enrolled:

(1)    Full time in a licensed child care center;

(2)    Full time in a registered family child care home; or

(3)    Part time in a Head Start 5 year old program.

(g)    Subject to data being available through the Maryland Longitudinal Data System established under § 24–702 of this article and except as otherwise provided in this section, a child under the age of 18 years shall return to attendance at a public school regularly during the school year as required by this section, if the child:

(1)    Is no longer participating in GED courses; and

(2)    Has not obtained a passing score on the GED test that resulted in the issuance of a Maryland high school diploma.