A truant is a student who stays away from school without permission or an explanation. Truancy laws are designed to encourage school attendance by creating simple court procedures through which children are held accountable for excessive school absences. The courts focus on the best interest of the child when addressing the truant conduct of a child.

Truant conduct is usually prosecuted or addressed as a civil (noncriminal) matter, and the definition and procedures for dealing with truancy are usually located in a state's statutes—often in the family code or education code.

In Kentucky, truancy laws are established to ensure that children attend school regularly and to hold them accountable for excessive unexcused absences. Kentucky law defines a truant as any student who has been absent from school without valid excuse for three or more days, or tardy without valid excuse on three or more days. A habitual truant is a student who has been reported as a truant two or more times. The Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) outline the procedures for addressing truancy, which typically involve the school district taking steps to intervene and resolve the issue. This may include notifying parents, creating an attendance plan, and providing resources or services to the family. If truancy persists, the matter can be referred to the court system. The courts may then work with the child, family, and school to address the underlying issues causing the truancy, with the aim of returning the student to regular attendance. The focus is on the best interest of the child, and the proceedings are civil rather than criminal. However, parents or guardians may face penalties under Kentucky law if they intentionally contribute to the truancy of their child.