Education (School Safety) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 15, 2026

A 5254: "Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act"; prohibits harassment or bullying of nonpublic school students and requires nonpublic schools to adopt anti-harassment and bullying policy.

This bill, known as the "Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act," aims to stop harassment and bullying in nonpublic schools by requiring these institutions to create and share clear anti-bullying policies. It defines bullying to include cyberbullying and covers incidents that happen on school grounds, during school events, or online if they threaten a student's safety or well-being. Under the new rules, schools must investigate any reported incidents within five days, document their findings, and take immediate steps to protect victims, while staff members are required to report witnessed or heard bullying promptly. The legislation also ensures that anyone who reports bullying in good faith is kept safe and clarifies that these protections do not limit rights to free speech or religious expression.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 15, 2026

S 4457: Requires school districts to include instruction on bullying awareness and prevention as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

This bill requires all New Jersey school districts to teach bullying awareness and prevention as part of their health and physical education curriculum for students from preschool through 12th grade. The instruction must cover specific topics such as defining different types of bullying, the lasting impact of social media posts, how to seek help, and the consequences faced by those who bully others. Additionally, the curriculum should address how intolerance toward various identities can worsen bullying, while the state education commissioner will provide sample lessons and resources to assist schools.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum Early Childhood School Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 15, 2026

S 4467: "Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act"; prohibits harassment or bullying of nonpublic school students and requires nonpublic schools to adopt anti-harassment and bullying policy.

The "Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act" prohibits harassment and bullying, including cyberbullying, against students in nonpublic schools in New Jersey. It requires these schools to create and share clear anti-bullying policies with staff, students, and parents while mandating prompt investigations into reported incidents. The law also obligates school employees to report witnessed or heard bullying within two days and ensures victims are informed about investigation outcomes in an age-appropriate manner. Additionally, the legislation includes a provision stating that these measures do not infringe upon free expression or religious rights protected by the state and federal constitutions.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 23, 2026

A 5307: Applies provisions of "Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act" to certain incidents of gang bullying.

This bill expands New Jersey's existing Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act to specifically cover incidents of gang bullying within public schools. It defines gang bullying as coordinated or repeated harmful behavior by two or more students that does not require a connection to the victim's protected characteristics like race or gender. Under this legislation, the full protections of the state's anti-bullying law would apply to these incidents occurring on school property, at school events, on school buses, or off-campus when a school employee becomes aware of them.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 5186: Establishes County-Based School Security Pilot Program in DOE; appropriates $15 million.

This bill creates a three-year pilot program in Essex, Mercer, and Camden counties to enhance school safety and student mental health support. The initiative provides $15 million in funding to deliver clinical mental health services, such as counseling and crisis intervention, alongside security upgrades like active shooter training and protective equipment. Implementation requires collaboration between the Department of Education and other state agencies, with district selection based on reported violence and bullying data. At the end of the pilot period, the Commissioner of Education must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature to evaluate the program's effectiveness.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 5184: Requires boards of education to adopt policy on use of artificial intelligence; requires DOE to establish model policy.

This New Jersey bill mandates that all public school districts create and maintain policies governing the responsible use of artificial intelligence within their schools. To assist in this effort, the state Department of Education must develop a model policy that districts can reference, which will be updated as needed based on consultations with technology and education experts. Each district's policy must address equity issues, such as access for students with disabilities or limited technology, and include a process for community members to submit questions or concerns. Furthermore, these policies must be reviewed annually and posted prominently on each district's website to ensure transparency and ongoing oversight.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics School Safety Artificial Intelligence

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4366: Permits unexpended State aid for nonpublic school nursing services and nonpublic school security services to be used to support other program.

This bill allows school districts in New Jersey to use leftover state funding for nonpublic school nursing services to pay for security services, and vice versa. Currently, districts must return any unused money from these specific programs to the state after the school year ends. The legislation changes this rule by permitting districts to apply unspent funds from one program toward the costs of the other if they have excess money in one category. This adjustment gives districts more flexibility in managing their budgets for both nursing and security needs without requiring an immediate refund of unexpended aid.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 5153: Requires unexpended State aid for nonpublic school nursing services and nonpublic school security services to be used to support nonpublic school transportation services.*

This bill allows school districts in New Jersey to use leftover state funding for nonpublic school nursing services to pay for security services, and vice versa. Currently, districts must return any unused money from these specific programs to the state after the school year ends. The change permits districts to apply unspent funds from one program toward the costs of the other before a refund is required. This adjustment provides districts with more flexibility in managing state aid allocated for student safety and health care in private schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4918: Establishes comprehensive school-based violence prevention grant program to help youth at highest risk of involvement in gun violence; appropriates $1 million.

This bill creates a new grant program in New Jersey to help school districts prevent gun violence among at-risk youth. It provides up to $1 million in funding to districts located in municipalities with high rates of homicides or juvenile arrests for violent crime. The grants are intended to support evidence-based programs that involve partnerships with community organizations to offer services like trauma healing, conflict management training, and connections to mentors. Recipients must submit detailed applications outlining their plans and report on how they use the funds.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Firearms Juvenile Justice Violent Crime School Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4911: Establishes protections for immigrant students and their families.

This bill requires New Jersey public schools to adopt a policy that restricts their interaction with federal immigration authorities. Specifically, it prohibits schools from sharing student records regarding immigration status, allowing federal agents on school property, or assisting in civil immigration investigations. The law distinguishes between civil warrants, which schools must not honor, and judicial warrants issued by a judge, which schools may still comply with. School districts have 180 days to implement these rules, which aim to prevent the use of school resources for immigration enforcement.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics School Safety Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

All education bills