Bill > A3133

Introduced Session

This bill establishes the position of Youth Disconnection Prevention and Recovery Ombudsperson and establishes the "School Disconnection Prevention Task Force." The bill specifically establishes a Youth Disconnection Prevention and Recovery Ombudsperson. The ombudsperson is to be appointed by the Governor, serve at the pleasure of the Governor, and report directly to the Commissioner of Education. Pursuant to the bill, the duties of the ombudsperson include:· collaborating with school districts to develop and implement a Statewide strategic plan of action;· collaborating with a variety of governmental agencies to address the challenges facing student dropouts;· developing best practices consistent with the recommendations of the School Disconnection Prevention Task Force; and· advising the commissioner on ways to prevent students from disconnecting from school and strategies for reengaging students who have disconnected from school. The bill requires the ombudsperson to annually submit a report summarizing services provided, progress in reducing disconnected youth, and recommendations on services and support for disconnected youth to the Commissioner of Education, the Secretary of Higher Education, the Governor, and the Legislature. This bill also establishes the "School Disconnection Prevention Task Force." The task force consists of 25 members including: the Youth Disconnection Prevention and Recovery Ombudsperson, who will serve as the chair of the task force; the Commissioners of the Departments of Education, Corrections, Labor and Workforce Development, Human Services, and Children and Families; the Secretary of Higher Education; the Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice Commission; and 17 members appointed by the Governor. Pursuant to the bill, the duties of the task force include:· examining current data on disconnected youth;· researching programs and initiatives addressing school disconnection;· examining possible contributing factors for students leaving school;· identifying effective ways to reduce the number of disconnected youth; and· advising the Youth Disconnection Prevention and Recovery Ombudsperson on the task force's findings. The bill requires the task force to issue a final report to the Commissioner of Education, the Secretary of Higher Education, the Governor, and the Legislature no later than nine months after the task force organizes. Additionally, the bill requires the Governor to appear before a legislative reference committee if a Youth Disconnection Prevention and Recovery Ombudsperson is not appointed within one year after the effective date of this bill. Finally, the Commissioner of Education is required to appear before a legislative reference committee one year after the issuance of the final report of the School Disconnection Task Force.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Cleopatra Tucker (D)*,  Reginald Atkins (D),  Shama Haider (D),  Michele Matsikoudis (R),  Antwan McClellan (R),  Ellen Park (D),  Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D),  William Sampson (D),  Erik Simonsen (R), 

Withdrawn Because Approved P.L.2023, c.277. (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document