In Washington State, it is the law that all children between the ages of six and 18 must attend school unless they have graduated or acquired a GED.

Washington's truancy law, often termed the "BECCA Bill", is intended to curb school truancy before it becomes habitual. The law requires many things of schools, but only requires one thing of students: attend school. If a student does not attend school the law requires the school district to take action.

One (1) or Two (2) Unexcused Absences
After a single unexcused absence, the school is required to contact parents, which is generally done by phone or letter. After a second unexcused absence, the school is required to schedule a conference with the parent and student to discuss solutions to the truancy.

Five (5) Unexcused Absences
If a student accumulates five unexcused absences in a month, the school may take more intense absences to end the truancy. The school may file a petition with the King County Superior Court, enter into a written truancy agreement with the family, reference the family to a "community truancy board" if one exists, or take other reasonable action. A community truancy board is comprised of citizen volunteers who help to resolve individual truancy cases.

Seven (7) and Ten (10) Unexcused Absences
Court action is required when a student accumulates seven absences in a month or ten in a year. The truancy law requires that school districts file a petition in Superior Court against the student, parent, or both. After a petition is filed, several things may happen with a student case. Depending on the circumstances of each individual case, a student's petition may not be immediately heard in juvenile court.

Court Action
The first hearing in any truancy action is the "preliminary hearing." At the preliminary hearing, the court will hear the evidence from the school district, the parents and student to determine whether the truancy allegation is more likely than not true. If true, the court will enter a written order directing the student to go to school. The court may also enter other orders to compel compliance with the truancy law, such as obtaining a substance abuse evaluation. If the student successfully obeys the court order and goes to school without any unexcused absences, most likely they will not be called back to court for any additional hearings. Childern are assigned legal counsel.

However, students and parents who willfully violate the court order and continue to have unexcused absences will be summoned back to court for a "contempt hearing." When a student or parent is held in contempt, the court may impose coercive sanctions to correct the student's attendance issues. The court may order a student to write a report, do community service, or spend time in juvenile detention. The court may require a parent to do community service or even be issued fines for $25 for each day of their child's truancy. Children are assigned legal counsel.