As September passed by in breakneck speed, the State Legislature continued to consider many issues that impact our schools. NJPSA met with legislative staff to discuss our goals and priorities for school funding for the 2025-26 school year. Additionally, the Senate Education committee met on Monday, September 30th to consider the following legislation:
A3446 / S2421 “Freedom to Read Act”; establishes requirements for library material in public school libraries and public libraries; protects school library staff members and librarians. (Zwicker/ Drulis)
NJPSA successfully achieved key amendments to this legislation. The amended bill requires local boards of education to adopt a policy on the curation of library materials in school libraries if the board does not have such a policy. The local policy must contain certain core components to be included in a model policy document developed by the NJDOE. Required components:
- Recognition that library materials should support the interest, information needs and educational needs of all students and present diverse perspectives in the library collection as a whole;
- A statement that library materials will not be removed due to origin, background or views of the author;
- Promotion of the free access of ideas and prohibitions on censorship;
- Acknowledgement of the expertise of school librarians,
- A procedure for ongoing review of library materials by library staff members;
- Inclusion of a request for removal form for “individuals with a vested interest” (parent, student or staff in the district) to submit to initiate a review of a material;
- Creation of a local review committee to include the superintendent (or designee), principal (or designee), library staff, a parent, staff members and potentially a student if the superintendent and principal agree; and the
- Board decision-making and appeal processes including a posted statement of reasons for the decision.
In addition, the legislation forestalls multiple and recurring review requests by limiting a review request of a specific material to once a year and permits the consolidation of review requests of the same material. If a board already has a policy that meets these requirements, no further action is needed under the bill.
A provision of the bill that would hold school library staff members immune from criminal and civil liability from good faith actions implementing this bill was hotly contested by parent advocacy groups and individuals. NJPSA testified in support of ACS-3446/S2421.
S1240 Expands duties of Office of School Bus Safety. (Beach)
This bill expands the duties of the Office of School Bus Safety to include the review of existing laws, rules and regulations governing school bus safety, developing recommendations for improvements and identifying implementation concerns for potential action. NJPSA supports.
S1284 Establishes County-Based School Security Pilot Program in DOE; appropriates $15 million. (Beach)
This legislation creates a 3-year County-Based School Security Pilot Program which will address security infrastructure needs of public schools and the provision of county-based mental health services. Eligible districts are those located in Mercer, Essex and Camden counties.
S1784 Establishes certain program requirements for school counselor certification; outlines role and duties of school counselor; requires professional development for school counselors; establishes position of School Counselor Liaison in DOE. (McKnight)
NJPSA supported S-1784 after working with the NJ Association of School Counselors for over a year on their initiative. The legislation recognizes the roles of school counselors in our schools and seeks to align the professional development requirements of school counselors to their duties and responsibilities within the school. The bill requires that higher education align their programs to the American School Counselor Association’s national model. Additionally, the bill creates a State School Counselor Liaison within the NJDOE to serve as a resource, advocate, and liaison for the school counseling field within the NJDOE.
S2237 Establishes Department of Early Childhood (Ruiz/McKnight)
This legislation would establish a new, separate, cabinet-level agency to handle all issues related to early childhood education including program, licensure, facilities, private providers and more, removing those responsibilities from the NJDOE. NJPSA has significant concerns with the bill. The bill was held and not actually heard at Monday’s Senate Education meeting at the request of the bill sponsor, Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz.
S2376 Requires boards of education to ensure that all staff are trained in care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders every five years. (Beach /Vitale)
This legislation would supplement existing law concerning student’s with seizure disorders. The bill would require boards to coordinate the provision of epilepsy and seizure disorder training at school every five years. Initially, the bill proposed a two year training obligation. This training will include a Department of Health approved on-line or in person course as determined by the district.
S2860 Establishes Sports Equipment Equity Pilot Program. (Singleton/Beach)
NJPSA supported this legislation that creates a two-year Sports Equipment Equity Pilot program which will award grants to public schools to help enhance school athletic programs. The grants will allow districts to provide sports equipment and other resources to support school athletic programs and activities.
S3057/A-4148 Requires DOH to develop informational materials on type 1 diabetes and DOE to distribute to parents and guardians of enrolled students. (McKnight)
This legislation has the NJ Department of Health, in consultation with the NJ Department of Education, developing informational materials on type 1 diabetes to be distributed to parents and guardians of students enrolled in the district. NJPSA Supports.
S3447 Establishes Special Education Transportation Task Force.(Corrado/Diegnan)
NJPSA supported this legislation and will have a seat at the table when the Special Education Transportation Task Force is appointed, if the bill becomes law. The unique needs, staffing requirements, and high costs of special education transportation are important issues to consider.
For more information, please contact Debbie Bradley, Esq. or Jennie Lamon in the NJPSA Government Relations Department.
By Debbie Bradley Esq.