(a) Subject to the essential operation of a business or entity of State or local government, which shall prevail in any instance of conflict, an employee shall have the right to take unpaid leave from employment under this section or subsection 472(b) of this title for the purpose of attending his or her annual town meeting, provided the employee notifies the employer at least seven days prior to the date of the town meeting.

(b) A student of voting age shall have the right to attend his or her annual town meeting, and the school shall not penalize or report the student as a truant for exercising the right provided by this section.

(c) The requirement of subsection (b) shall not apply to a student who is in State custody in a secure facility.

(d) The requirement of subsection (b) shall not create an obligation for any parent, guardian, or custodian to take any affirmative action to enable the student to attend an annual town meeting. (Added 2007, No. 124 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2013, No. 31, § 5.)