KRS 159.030: Exemptions from compulsory attendance.

(1) The board of education of the district in which the child resides shall exempt from

the requirement of attendance upon a regular public day school every child of

compulsory school age:

(a) Who is a graduate from an accredited or an approved four (4) year h igh

school; or

(b) Who is enrolled and in regular attendance in a private, parochial, or church

regular day school. It shall be the duty of each private, parochial, or church

regular day school to notify the local board of education of those students in

attendance at the school. If a school declines, for any reason, to notify the

local board of education of those students in attendance, it shall so notify each

student's parent or legal guardian in writing, and it shall then be the duty of

the parent or lega l guardian to give proper notice to the local board of

education; or

(c) Who is less than seven (7) years old and is enrolled and in regular attendance

in a private kindergarten-nursery school; or

(d) Whose physical or mental condition prevents or renders inadvisable

attendance at school; or

(e) Who is enrolled and in regular attendance in private, parochial, or church

school programs for exceptional children; or

(f) Who is enrolled and in regular attendance in a state -supported program for

exceptional children;

(g) For purposes of this section, "church school" shall mean a school operated as

a ministry of a local church, group of churches, denomination, or association

of churches on a nonprofit basis.

(2) (a) Before granting an exemption under subsection (1 )(d) of this section, the

board of education of the district in which the child resides shall require

submission to the board of satisfactory evidence in the form of a signed

statement of a properly licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse,

physician's assistant, psychologist, psychiatrist, or qualified mental health

professional as defined in KRS 202A.011 responsible for diagnosing and

treating the child, stating that the diagnosed condition of the child prevents or

renders inadvisable attend ance at school and requires home or hospital

instruction. If the condition is mental health related, then the signed statement

shall be completed by a qualified mental health professional as defined in

KRS 202A.011. On the basis of such evidence, the local board of education

may exempt the child from compulsory attendance.

(b) Any child who is excused from school attendance more tha n six (6) months

shall have two (2) signed statements from a combination of two (2) of the

professional persons in accordance with paragraph (a) of this subsection,

except that this requirement shall not apply to a child whose signed statement

certifies th at the student has a chronic physical condition that prevents or

renders inadvisable attendance at school and is unlikely to substantially

improve within one (1) year.

(c) Exemptions of any student under the provisions of subsection (1)(d) of this

section shall be reviewed annually with the evidence required being updated.

(3) The Kentucky Board of Education may promulgate administrative regulations to

establish the components of compulsory attendance and exemptions.