Wash. Rev. Code » Title 28A · Chapter 28A.225
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 28A.225.090 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) A court may order a child subject to a petition under RCW 28A.225.035 to do one or more of the following:
(a) Attend the child's current school, and set forth minimum attendance requirements, which shall not consider a suspension day as an unexcused absence;
(b) If there is space available and the program can provide educational services appropriate for the child, order the child to attend another public school, an alternative education program, center, a skill center, dropout prevention program, or another public educational program;
(c) Attend a private nonsectarian school or program including an education center. Before ordering a child to attend an approved or certified private nonsectarian school or program, the court shall: (i) Consider the public and private programs available; (ii) find that placement is in the best interest of the child; and (iii) find that the private school or program is willing to accept the child and will not charge any fees in addition to those established by contract with the student's school district. If the court orders the child to enroll in a private school or program, the child's school district shall contract with the school or program to provide educational services for the child. The school district shall not be required to contract for a weekly rate that exceeds the state general apportionment dollars calculated on a weekly basis generated by the child and received by the district. A school district shall not be required to enter into a contract that is longer than the remainder of the school year. A school district shall not be required to enter into or continue a contract if the child is no longer enrolled in the district;
(d) Submit to a substance abuse assessment if the court finds on the record that such assessment is appropriate to the circumstances and behavior of the child and will facilitate the child's compliance with the mandatory attendance law and, if any assessment, including a urinalysis test ordered under this subsection indicates the use of controlled substances or alcohol, order the minor to abstain from the unlawful consumption of controlled substances or alcohol and adhere to the recommendations of the substance abuse assessment at no expense to the school; or
(e) Submit to a mental health evaluation or other diagnostic evaluation and adhere to the recommendations of the drug assessment, at no expense to the school, if the court finds on the court records that such evaluation is appropriate to the circumstances and behavior of the child, and will facilitate the child's compliance with the mandatory attendance law.
(2) If the child fails to comply with the court order, the court may impose:
(a) Community restitution;
(b) Nonresidential programs with intensive wraparound services;
(c) A requirement that the child meet with a mentor for a specified number of times; or
(d) Other services and interventions that the court deems appropriate.
(3) Any parent violating any of the provisions of either RCW 28A.225.010, 28A.225.015, or 28A.225.080 shall be fined not more than twenty-five dollars for each day of unexcused absence from school. The court shall remit fifty percent of the fine collected under this section to the child's school district. It shall be a defense for a parent charged with violating RCW 28A.225.010 to show that he or she exercised reasonable diligence in attempting to cause a child in his or her custody to attend school or that the child's school did not perform its duties as required in RCW 28A.225.020. The court may order the parent to provide community restitution instead of imposing a fine. Any fine imposed pursuant to this section may be suspended upon the condition that a parent charged with violating RCW 28A.225.010 shall participate with the school and the child in a supervised plan for the child's attendance at school or upon condition that the parent attend a conference or conferences scheduled by a school for the purpose of analyzing the causes of a child's absence.
(4) If a child continues to be truant after entering into a court-approved order with the community engagement board under RCW 28A.225.035, the juvenile court shall find the child in contempt, and the court may impose alternatives to detention consistent with best practice models for reengagement with school.
(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the court's inherent contempt power or curtail its exercise.
(6) Subsections (1), (2), and (4) of this section shall not apply to a six or seven year old child required to attend public school under RCW 28A.225.015.
[ 2021 c 119 s 15; 2019 c 312 s 14; 2019 c 312 s 13; 2017 c 291 s 5; 2016 c 205 s 9; 2009 c 266 s 4; 2008 c 171 s 1; 2002 c 175 s 29. Prior: 2000 c 162 s 15; 2000 c 162 s 6; 2000 c 61 s 1; 1999 c 319 s 4; 1998 c 296 s 39; 1997 c 68 s 2; prior: 1996 c 134 s 6; 1996 c 133 s 32; 1995 c 312 s 74; 1992 c 205 s 204; 1990 c 33 s 226; 1987 c 202 s 189; 1986 c 132 s 5; 1979 ex.s. c 201 s 6; 1969 ex.s. c 223 s 28A.27.100; prior: 1909 c 97 p 365 s 3; RRS s 5074; prior: 1907 c 231 s 3; 1905 c 162 s 3. Formerly RCW 28A.27.100, 28.27.100.]

Notes:

Effective date—2021 c 119 ss 7-15: See note following RCW 28A.225.030.
Findings—Intent—2021 c 119: See note following RCW 28A.225.007.
Effective date—2019 c 312 ss 5 and 14: See note following RCW 7.21.030.
Effective date—Findings—Intent—2019 c 312: See notes following RCW 7.21.080.
Effective date—2002 c 175: See note following RCW 7.80.130.
Effective date—2000 c 162 ss 11-17: See note following RCW 43.185C.265.
Findings—Intent—Part headings not law—Short title—1998 c 296: See notes following RCW 74.13.025.
Findings—Short title—Intent—Construction—1996 c 133: See notes following RCW 13.32A.197.
Short title—1995 c 312: See note following RCW 13.32A.010.
Part headings not law—Severability—1992 c 205: See notes following RCW 13.40.010.
Intent—1987 c 202: See note following RCW 2.04.190.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 12 cases, 1999–2018 · leading case: In Re Mb, 3 P.3d 780 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000).
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In Re Mb, 3 P.3d 780 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 7× “250, and contempt for truancy order violations is governed by RCW 28A.225.090. [47] Our general contempt statutes, RCW 7.”
In re the Interest of M.B., 101 Wash. App. 425 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 7× “250, and contempt for truancy order violations is governed by RCW 28A.225.090. 47 Our general contempt statutes, chapter 7.”
Bellevue Sch. Dist. v. E.S., 171 Wash. 2d 695 (Wash. 2011). · cites it 5× “035 and RCW 28A.225.090, required E.S. to submit to testing for the use of controlled substances or alcohol.”
Bellevue Sch. Dist. v. Es, 257 P.3d 570 (Wash. 2011). · cites it 5× “035 and RCW 28A.225.090, required E.S. to submit to testing for the use of controlled substances or alcohol.”
Perkins v. State, 969 P.2d 1101 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 10× “RCW 28A.225.090(1) provides that a court may order a child subject to a truancy petition to: attend the child's current school or other public school, attend a private school, be referred to a community truancy board, or submit to drug and/or alcohol testing.”
In re the Truancy of Perkins, 93 Wash. App. 590 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 10× “RCW 28A.225.090(1) provides that a court may order a child subject to a truancy petition to: attend the child’s current school or other public school, attend a private school, be referred to a community truancy board, or submit to drug and/or alcohol testing.”
In re the Interest of J.L., 140 Wash. App. 438 (Wash. Ct. App. 2007). · cites it 6× “, we can grant no relief. The scope of a juvenile court’s authority to incarcerate truants is an issue involving juveniles over whom the court frequently loses jurisdiction before the appeal process has run its course, rendering the individual case moot.”
Bellevue Sch. Dist. v. ES, 199 P.3d 1010 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 5× “[14] RCW 28A.225.090(1). [15] RCW 28A.225.035(13).”
In Re Jl, 166 P.3d 776 (Wash. Ct. App. 2007). · cites it 5× “, we can grant no relief. The scope of a juvenile court's authority to incarcerate truants is an issue involving juveniles over whom the court frequently loses jurisdiction before the appeal process has run its course, rendering the individual case moot.”
Bellevue Sch. Dist. v. E.S., 148 Wash. App. 205 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 3× “RCW 28A.225.090(1). RCW 28A.225.035(13). RCW 28A.”
A.j.l. v. Everett Sch. Dist. (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 2× “and issue an order compelling school attendance and other relief under RCW 28A.225.090. 2 No. 77032-2-1/3 The district filed the petition based on A.”
Lake Washington Sch. Dist. v. C.l. (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). “Citing a recent amendment to RCW 28A.225.090(1 )(f), the respondent, Lake Washington School District, concedes that the amendment applied to C.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 28A.225.090(1) — 7 cases
Bellevue Sch. Dist. v. ES, 199 P.3d 1010 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). “[14] RCW 28A.225.090(1). [15] RCW 28A.225.035(13).”
In Re Jl, 166 P.3d 776 (Wash. Ct. App. 2007). “, we can grant no relief. The scope of a juvenile court's authority to incarcerate truants is an issue involving juveniles over whom the court frequently loses jurisdiction before the appeal process has run its course, rendering the individual case moot.”
In re the Interest of J.L., 140 Wash. App. 438 (Wash. Ct. App. 2007). “, we can grant no relief. The scope of a juvenile court’s authority to incarcerate truants is an issue involving juveniles over whom the court frequently loses jurisdiction before the appeal process has run its course, rendering the individual case moot.”
Bellevue Sch. Dist. v. E.S., 148 Wash. App. 205 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). “RCW 28A.225.090(1). RCW 28A.225.035(13). RCW 28A.”
Perkins v. State, 969 P.2d 1101 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). “RCW 28A.225.090(1) provides that a court may order a child subject to a truancy petition to: attend the child's current school or other public school, attend a private school, be referred to a community truancy board, or submit to drug and/or alcohol testing.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 28A.225.090(1)(b) — 2 cases
Bellevue Sch. Dist. v. ES, 199 P.3d 1010 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). “[14] RCW 28A.225.090(1). [15] RCW 28A.225.035(13).”
Bellevue Sch. Dist. v. E.S., 148 Wash. App. 205 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). “RCW 28A.225.090(1). RCW 28A.225.035(13). RCW 28A.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 28A.225.090(1)(e) — 3 cases
Bellevue Sch. Dist. v. Es, 257 P.3d 570 (Wash. 2011). “035 and RCW 28A.225.090, required E.S. to submit to testing for the use of controlled substances or alcohol.”
Bellevue Sch. Dist. v. ES, 199 P.3d 1010 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). “[14] RCW 28A.225.090(1). [15] RCW 28A.225.035(13).”
Perkins v. State, 969 P.2d 1101 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). “RCW 28A.225.090(1) provides that a court may order a child subject to a truancy petition to: attend the child's current school or other public school, attend a private school, be referred to a community truancy board, or submit to drug and/or alcohol testing.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 28A.225.090(2) — 8 cases
Perkins v. State, 969 P.2d 1101 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). “RCW 28A.225.090(1) provides that a court may order a child subject to a truancy petition to: attend the child's current school or other public school, attend a private school, be referred to a community truancy board, or submit to drug and/or alcohol testing.”
In re the Truancy of Perkins, 93 Wash. App. 590 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). “RCW 28A.225.090(1) provides that a court may order a child subject to a truancy petition to: attend the child’s current school or other public school, attend a private school, be referred to a community truancy board, or submit to drug and/or alcohol testing.”
In Re Mb, 3 P.3d 780 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “250, and contempt for truancy order violations is governed by RCW 28A.225.090. [47] Our general contempt statutes, RCW 7.”
In re the Interest of M.B., 101 Wash. App. 425 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “250, and contempt for truancy order violations is governed by RCW 28A.225.090. 47 Our general contempt statutes, chapter 7.”
In re the Interest of J.L., 140 Wash. App. 438 (Wash. Ct. App. 2007). “, we can grant no relief. The scope of a juvenile court’s authority to incarcerate truants is an issue involving juveniles over whom the court frequently loses jurisdiction before the appeal process has run its course, rendering the individual case moot.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 28A.225.090(3) — 1 case
Bellevue Sch. Dist. v. ES, 199 P.3d 1010 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). “[14] RCW 28A.225.090(1). [15] RCW 28A.225.035(13).”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 28A.225.090(l)(e) — 2 cases
Bellevue Sch. Dist. v. E.S., 171 Wash. 2d 695 (Wash. 2011). “035 and RCW 28A.225.090, required E.S. to submit to testing for the use of controlled substances or alcohol.”
In re the Truancy of Perkins, 93 Wash. App. 590 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). “RCW 28A.225.090(1) provides that a court may order a child subject to a truancy petition to: attend the child’s current school or other public school, attend a private school, be referred to a community truancy board, or submit to drug and/or alcohol testing.”
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