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Bill > S1806


NJ S1806

NJ S1806
Requires State, county, and municipal social service workers to periodically complete implicit bias and cultural competency training.


summary

Introduced
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires implicit bias and cultural competency training for all State, county, and municipal social service workers. Implicit bias is a bias in judgment or behavior that results from subtle cognitive processes, including implicit prejudice and implicit stereotypes, that often operate at a level below conscious awareness and without intentional control. Cultural competency is the ability to understand, appreciate, and interact with people from different cultures or belief systems. The bill requires social service workers to complete the online tutorial by April 1 of every even-numbered year and to participate in training annually. The bill mandates that certain certifications and verifications be communicated to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and such communications will be considered public information. Every day, State, county, and municipal social service workers make decisions that impact people of all backgrounds and cultures. In doing this important work, it is critical for all of these individuals to understand their own biases as well as cultures and belief systems different from their own.

AI Summary

This bill requires implicit bias and cultural competency training for all state, county, and municipal social service workers. Implicit bias refers to subconscious biases that can affect judgment and behavior, while cultural competency is the ability to understand and interact with people from different cultures and belief systems. The bill mandates that social service workers complete an online tutorial on these topics by April 1 of every even-numbered year, and participate in annual training as directed by their respective county or state agencies. Certifications and verifications of training completion must be communicated to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and will be considered public information. The bill aims to ensure that social service workers, who make decisions impacting people of diverse backgrounds, understand their own biases and are able to effectively serve individuals and families from different cultures.

Committee Categories

Housing and Urban Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee (on 01/09/2024)

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