38-2351. Duty of parents and others to appear at all proceedings involving alleged juvenile offender; failure, contempt. (a) Any parent or person with whom a juvenile resides who is served with a summons as provided in K.S.A. 38-2337, and amendments thereto, shall appear with the juvenile at all proceedings concerning the juvenile, unless excused by the court having jurisdiction of the matter.

(b) Any person required by this code to be present at all juvenile proceedings who fails to comply, without good cause, with the provisions of subsection (a) may be proceeded against for indirect contempt of court pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 20-1204a et seq., and amendments thereto.

(c) As used in this section, "good cause" for failing to appear includes, but is not limited to, a situation where a parent:

(1) Does not have physical custody of the juvenile and resides outside of Kansas;

(2) has physical custody of the juvenile, but resides outside of Kansas and appearing in court will result in undue hardship to such parent; or

(3) resides in Kansas, but is outside of the state at the time of the juvenile proceeding for reasons other than avoiding appearance before the court and appearing in court will result in undue hardship to such parent.

(d) If the parent of any juvenile cannot be found or fails to appear, the court may proceed with the case without the presence of such parent.

History: L. 2006, ch. 169, § 51; January 1, 2007.