A truant is a student who stays away from school without permission or an explanation. Truancy laws are designed to encourage school attendance by creating simple court procedures through which children are held accountable for excessive school absences. The courts focus on the best interest of the child when addressing the truant conduct of a child.

Truant conduct is usually prosecuted or addressed as a civil (noncriminal) matter, and the definition and procedures for dealing with truancy are usually located in a state's statutes—often in the family code or education code.

In Rhode Island, truancy laws are established to ensure that children attend school regularly and to address issues of excessive unexcused absences. Under Rhode Island General Laws, truancy is defined as a child who is habitually absent from school without an acceptable reason. The state statutes, particularly within the education code, outline the responsibilities of both parents and schools in preventing and addressing truancy. When a student is truant, schools are required to take certain steps, which may include notifying parents, developing attendance plans, and providing interventions. If these measures fail, the matter may be referred to the Family Court. The court proceedings focus on the best interest of the child, with the goal of resolving the underlying issues causing the truancy. The court may order various remedies, such as counseling, community service, or educational programs, rather than punitive measures. The aim is to support the child's return to regular school attendance rather than to criminalize the behavior.