Section 18237.

(a) The department, in conjunction with the State Department of Education and the Attorney General, may evaluate the effectiveness of one program, as described in this section in a county that chooses to operate such a program.

(b) The truancy coordinator in the district attorney's office shall provide assistance to school districts to address cases of habitual truancy as defined in Section 48262 of the Education Code.

(c) The county truancy coordinator shall perform, at a minimum, all of the following duties:

(1) Represent the district attorney on the county school attendance review board pursuant to Section 48321 of the Education Code.

(2) Prepare letters as requested by local school districts that provide a warning notice to parents of truant pupils subject to criminal prosecution and penalties pursuant to Section 48293 of the Education Code.

(3) Develop a district truancy mediation program, as defined in Section 48263.5 of the Education Code, unless the county probation department has elected to provide the program.

(d) The school attendance review board shall assist the district attorney and the court in ensuring that every parent or guardian and truant pupil prosecuted and convicted under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 48200) of Part 2 of the Education Code, complies with the sentence of the court, including, but not limited to, collection of fines, ensuring the performance of community service and providing certification of school attendance.

(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 270, Sec. 181. Effective August 11, 1997. Operative January 1, 1998, by Sec. 183 of Ch. 270.)