A truancy officer has the powers of a deputy sheriff in the exercise of the officer's duties, and may apprehend without warrant a child of compulsory school age who is absent from the place in which the child is enrolled and required by law to attend, unless the child:

1. (1) Is excused;
2. (2) Has withdrawn from school, pursuant to § 13-27-1.3; or
3. (3) Has successfully completed a high school equivalency test, pursuant to § 13-27-1.4. A truancy officer shall place the child in the custody of the individual having charge of the place where the child is enrolled and required by law to attend. In the administration of the officer's duties, each truancy officer is subject to the general supervisory control of the secretary of the Department of Education.

Source: SDC 1939, § 15.3205; SL 1955, ch 41 , ch 15, § 5; SL 1971, ch 116 , § 11; SL 1982, ch 142 , § 8; SL 2003, ch 272 , § 63; SL 2021, ch 76 , § 13; SL 2025, ch 80 , § 6.