(A) It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 18 who is enrolled in any public, private or parochial elementary or secondary school to be present in any public place, building, street or location other than school, during any hours when such person is enrolled in school during the regular school term, unless he or she is:
(1) Traveling to or from school by the most direct route;
(2) Engaged in school-related activities with written approval of school authorities, or is otherwise authorized by a written school policy; or
(3) Engaged in personal business, including but not limited to employment, medical care and religious activities with prior written notice from a parent or legal guardian to school authorities.
(B) A police officer may stop and detain a person whom the officer reasonably suspects to be in violation of this section for a limited period of time for the purpose of verifying the person’s identity, age, school enrollment and authority to be absent from school. The police officer shall immediately inform the person of the reason for the detention and that he or she will be promptly released upon verification of authorization to be absent from school. The person so detained shall not be removed from the scene of the detention unless he or she refuses to provide the officer with the information necessary to complete the investigation.
(C) To the extent practical, any person in violation of this section shall be taken to school authorities or a parent or legal guardian.
(Ord. 2004-46, passed 9-27-2004)