Opinion No.

The Honorable Jerry Hunton State Representative 14221 Greasy Valley Road Prairie Grove, Arkansas 72753

Dear Representative Hunton:

This is in response to your request for an opinion on three questions concerning Act 473 of 1989, which allows for the collection of a civil penalty against parents of students who are excessively absent from school. The act allows for the penalty to be forwarded to the school district.

Your three specific questions are as follows:

1. Does the act mandate that city prosecutors handle such cases as are delivered to them by school officials?

2. Does the jurisdiction of a…