Mandatory school attendance.

If a minor member of a benefit group has three unexcused absences from school during a grading period, his parent shall notify the department of the absences within fourteen days. The department may impose a sanction on the benefit group that reduces the cash assistance by the amount the minor member would otherwise receive only after the department refers the minor member to the appropriate state agency, counselor or community program for appropriate resolution of the attendance problem. The department shall not consider participation in cultural and religious activities an unexcused absence, as long as the student has parental consent.