AB 700

This bill requires a school attendance officer to direct a pupil services

professional to determine whether to refer a child who has been excused absent for

ten or more days in a school year because the child is temporarily not in proper

physical or mental condition to attend school for an evaluation as to whether the

child is a child with a disability. Under current law, a child who has been evaluated

and determined to be a child with a disability may be eligible for certain special

education and related services. Under current law, a “pupil services professional” is

a school counselor, school social worker, school psychologist, or school nurse. Current

law defines a “school attendance officer” as an employee designated by the school

board to deal with matters relating to school attendance and truancy.

The bill also requires the school attendance officer to notify the parent or

guardian of a pupil that has been absent without an excuse for part or all of five or

more days that the parent or guardian may request an evaluation of whether the

child is a child with a disability or, for a child who has been identified as a child with

a disability and for whom an individualized education program has been prepared,

a review and, if appropriate, revision of the child's IEP.