1. Within the meaning of this chapter, a pupil shall be deemed a truant who is absent from school without the written approval of the pupil’s teacher or the principal of the school, unless the pupil is physically or mentally unable to attend school. The teacher or principal shall give his or her written approval for a pupil to be absent if an emergency exists or upon the request of a parent or legal guardian of the pupil. Before a pupil may attend or otherwise participate in school activities outside the classroom during regular classroom hours, the pupil must receive the approval of the teacher or principal.

2. An unapproved absence for at least one period, or the equivalent of one period for the school, of a school day may be deemed a truancy for the purposes of this section.

3. If a pupil is physically or mentally unable to attend school, the parent or legal guardian or other person having control or charge of the pupil shall notify the teacher or principal of the school orally or in writing, in accordance with the policy established by the board of trustees of the school district, within 3 days after the pupil returns to school.

4. An absence which has not been approved pursuant to subsection 1 or 3 shall be deemed an unapproved absence. In the event of an unapproved absence, the teacher, attendance officer or other school official shall deliver or cause to be delivered a written notice of truancy to the parent, legal guardian or other person having control or charge of the child. The written notice must be delivered to the parent, legal guardian or other person who has control of the child. The written notice must inform the parents or legal guardian of such absences in a form specified by the Department.

5. The provisions of this section apply to all pupils who are required to attend school pursuant to NRS 392.040.

6. As used in this section, “physically or mentally unable to attend” does not include a physical or mental condition for which a pupil is excused pursuant to NRS 392.050.

[372:32:1956] — (NRS A 1985, 2168; 1987, 158; 1997, 2835; 1999, 3456; 2007, 1082, 2181)