Bill > A5781

Introduced Session

This bill authorizes the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) to fund COVID-19-related school facilities projects. Under the bill, the SDA may, as part of its emergent project program, fund facilities improvements and equipment installations related to limiting the transmission of COVID-19 in a school building. The SDA, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, will review and approve project applications subject to the availability of funds. According to the SDA, it is prohibited from funding conditions that are considered maintenance because school districts are responsible for addressing projects that would be considered routine maintenance. State Board of Education regulations at N.J.A.C.6A:26-1.2 defines an "emergent project" to mean a capital project necessitating expedited review and, if applicable, approval, in order to alleviate a condition that, if not corrected on an expedited basis, would render a building or facility so potentially injurious or hazardous that it causes an imminent peril to the health and safety of students or staff. This bill allows school districts and SDA districts to apply to the SDA for emergent project program funding for COVID-19-related school facilities projects.

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Robert Clifton (R)*,  Serena DiMaso (R)*,  Kevin Rooney (R), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 06/01/2021)