New California law cracks down on parents of truants

A new state law that takes effect today puts parents on the hook when their kids play hooky.

The new law lets local law enforcement officials go after parents whose kids miss 10 percent or more of the school year without a valid excuse.

Prosecutors would have to prove that the parents didn’t properly supervise their children and encourage them to go to school.

The misdemeanor charge could bring up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

The law focuses on parents and guardians of children from kindergarten up to eighth grade.

The legislation is something incoming Attorney General Kamala Harris pushed for as San Francisco’s top prosecutor.

In Orange County, there is a growing problem of young kids joining gangs – something law enforcement officials have tried to stop by using truancy crackdowns.