AB 516 – Requires Pupil Attendance At Cultural Ceremonies And Events To Be An Excused Absences

Existing law requires that each person between 6 and 18 years of age to attend full-time education unless exempted. The law currently allows pupils absent from school to be excused for specific reasons, including pupil illness.

This bill amends existing law to excuse pupil absences for an absence that is to participate in a cultural ceremony or event. The bill defines “cultural” to mean relating to the habits, practices, beliefs, and traditions of a certain group of people.

(AB 516 amends Section 48205 of the Education Code to expand the definition of excused absences. This bill is only operative if SB 14 is passed, and here it was.)