This resolution asks the New Jersey Attorney General and Department of Education to regularly update two school safety documents that have not been significantly revised since 2007. The specific guidance includes the "School Safety and Security Manual" for schools and "Law Enforcement Directive No. 2007-1" for police agencies, both of which cover topics like lockdowns, evacuations, and emergency response. By urging these agencies to review the materials, the bill aims to ensure that school staff and law enforcement have access to the most current best practices for maintaining safety. The measure is non-binding and serves as a formal recommendation rather than a law that creates new penalties or mandates.
This bill creates the Hazardous School Route Grant Program within the New Jersey Department of Education to improve pedestrian safety for students walking to school. It allocates $15 million in funding to help school districts address dangerous walking paths where courtesy bus services are not available. To qualify, districts must demonstrate financial need and have previously adopted policies identifying hazardous routes, while municipalities must handle permits and long-term maintenance. The program allows grants of up to $1 million per district for projects like capital improvements or temporary transportation, with applications prioritized based on the severity of risks and the number of students affected.
This bill designates October of each year as "Walk to School Month" to encourage physical activity and community safety. It does not change laws or funding but asks the Governor to issue an annual proclamation inviting schools, organizations, and citizens to hold events promoting walking and biking to school. The resolution highlights benefits such as improved health, reduced air pollution, and safer streets, while urging communities to plan safe routes for students.
This bill creates a 13-member task force to review and improve New Jersey's existing anti-bullying rules and procedures in public schools. The group will consist of state education officials, representatives from various school organizations, and four public members appointed by legislative leaders. Their specific duties include evaluating current laws, suggesting ways to reduce administrative work for school districts, and researching better discipline methods used in other states. The task force must organize within 30 days and submit a final report with its findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within six months of starting. Once the report is issued, the task force will automatically dissolve.
This bill creates a new grant program in New Jersey to help school districts prevent gun violence among high-risk youth by funding evidence-based prevention strategies. To qualify, a school district must be located in an area with a high rate of homicides or violent crime, and the funds are intended to support programs that involve collaboration with community partners like mentors and mental health professionals. The $1 million appropriation allows districts to use the money for activities such as trauma healing, conflict resolution training, and connecting students with trusted adults. Additionally, the bill requires districts that receive funding to submit annual reports detailing how they utilized the grant money.
This bill creates a 12-member task force to study how safe students are when schools open and close each day. The group will examine bus loading procedures, traffic congestion around schools, and whether enough police or other staff are present during arrival and departure times. Members include representatives from various education organizations, government officials, and parents, who will work without pay to review current practices and research. The task force must organize within 60 days and submit a final report with its findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year. Once the report is submitted, the task force will end its work.
This bill requires the New Jersey Commissioner of Education to create specific criteria for identifying dangerous walking routes for students and provides state funding to districts that offer busing for students on those routes. The proposed criteria include measurable factors such as high traffic volume, lack of sidewalks, dangerous crossings, and environmental or social risks, with stricter standards for younger children and urban areas. Once a route is officially designated as hazardous, school districts must submit joint certifications to the state, and eligible students will receive state aid to cover the cost of courtesy busing services.
This New Jersey bill requires public school districts to create specific procedures for reporting harassment, intimidation, and bullying online. It mandates that each district provide an electronic reporting form on its official website, allowing individuals to submit complaints anonymously, though formal discipline cannot be based solely on anonymous tips. The law also updates existing rules to ensure all incidents are reported to school principals within two school days and that written records are maintained on standardized department forms. While the bill preserves local control over policy details, it sets minimum requirements for definitions, consequences, and the inclusion of online reporting options in district anti-bullying policies.
This bill requires public school boards in New Jersey to create and adopt suicide prevention policies for their districts. It directs the state Department of Education to develop a model policy that schools can use as a guide when crafting their own plans. Each school district must consult with mental health professionals and community stakeholders when developing their policy, which must cover prevention, intervention, and postvention procedures. The final policies must be posted on each school district's website and made known to students, parents, and guardians.
This bill requires all school districts and nonpublic schools in New Jersey to create emergency operations plans that cover various potential emergencies, including natural disasters, fires, and pandemics. These plans must be coordinated with state and local emergency responders and include procedures for maintaining essential school functions during crises. Additionally, the bill mandates that school districts teach students from kindergarten through 12th grade about environmental and natural disasters as part of their science, health, and social studies curricula. The emergency plans must be reviewed and updated every five years or sooner if an emergency occurs, and the instruction on disasters must help students understand school emergency policies and how to prepare for emergencies.
