Requires employing board of education or contractor to notify DOE regarding termination of employee disqualified from employment.

This bill requires school boards and their contractors to notify the New Jersey Department of Education when they terminate an employee who has been disqualified from working in schools due to criminal history. The law mandates that the Commissioner of Education inform school districts immediately upon learning of pending charges or convictions against current staff members, ensuring that employees accused of specific offenses are removed from contact with students while their cases are pending. Additionally, the bill establishes a formal process for school bus drivers to undergo criminal and driving record checks, permanently disqualifying them if they have certain criminal convictions or multiple serious traffic violations. To enforce compliance, the legislation imposes fines on school districts or contractors that fail to provide written confirmation to the state that disqualified employees have been terminated.