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Bill > S1579
NJ S1579
NJ S1579Requires anti-bullying policy of public schools to include provision requiring principal to make preliminary determination and meet with parents of students involved in alleged bullying incident for that determination; extends time for investigating incident.
summary
Introduced
02/14/2022
02/14/2022
In Committee
02/14/2022
02/14/2022
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/08/2024
01/08/2024
Introduced Session
2022-2023 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Current law requires each school district to adopt a policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation or bullying. Under these policies, after an incident of harassment, intimidation, or bullying has been reported to the principal, he must inform the parents and guardians of all students involved in the alleged incident. This bill specifies that the policy must also include a provision that requires the principal to make a preliminary determination as to whether a reported incident or complaint is a report of an act of harassment, intimidation, or bullying as those terms are defined by law, prior to initiating an investigation. The policy must also provide that the principal hold a separate meeting with the parents or guardians of each student involved in the alleged incident within seven days of informing them of the alleged incident, in order to assist the principal in making the preliminary determination. The bill also provides that the investigation of the alleged incident must be completed no later than 30 days from the date the written report of the incident is provided to the principal. Current law requires the investigation to be completed no later than 10 days from the date the written report is provided. This bill extends the time frame to allow a sufficient time period for the principal to hold the meetings with the parents or guardians and make a preliminary determination regarding the alleged incident.
AI Summary
This bill amends the current law that requires public schools to adopt an anti-bullying policy. The key provisions are:
1) The policy must include a requirement for the principal to make a preliminary determination on whether a reported incident of bullying meets the definition of harassment, intimidation, or bullying under the law, prior to initiating an investigation. The principal must also hold a separate meeting with the parents/guardians of each student involved within 7 days of informing them of the alleged incident, to assist in making this preliminary determination.
2) The timeframe for completing the investigation of the alleged incident is extended from 10 days to 30 days, to allow sufficient time for the principal to hold the meetings with parents/guardians and make the preliminary determination.
The bill aims to provide a more thorough initial assessment of reported bullying incidents before launching a full investigation, and to give principals more time to complete this process.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 02/14/2022)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2022/S1579 |
| BillText | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2022/S2000/1579_I1.HTM |
| Bill | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2022/S2000/1579_I1.PDF |
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