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Bill > S3292


NJ S3292

NJ S3292
"Parents' Bill of Rights Act"; requires public school and school district provide certain information to parents and guardians and obtain parental consent prior to taking certain actions.


summary

Introduced
05/20/2024
In Committee
05/20/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill establishes the "Parents' Bill of Rights Act." The bill prohibits a public school or school district from interfering with or denying the rights of parents and guardians of enrolled students, including the right to review copies of the curricula, books, and other educational materials used by the public school or school district that are available to the student; the right to access, as permitted by law, all records generated by the public school or school district that concern the student, the names and professional qualifications of teachers, guest lecturers, and outside presenters who engage with students at the school attended by the student, the names of any outside entity that collects and transmits data concerning the student by the public school or school district, and the names of all third-party individuals and organizations that receive contracts or other funding through the public school or school district; the right to be heard at school board meetings or other governance hearings pertaining to the public school or school district; the right to be notified, as permitted by law, of certain situations affecting the safety of the student at school; and the right, as permitted by law, to visit the student at school during school hours. Under the bill, a public school is required, prior to the start of each school year, to provide the parent or guardian of an enrolled student with the class syllabi and reading list for each class for which the student is registered. The bill prohibits public schools and school districts from requiring a parent or guardian to sign a nondisclosure agreement as a condition of accessing curricular materials, books, or other educational materials. The bill also requires public schools and school districts to obtain written consent from a parent or guardian of an enrolled student prior to collecting biometric data or other sensitive personal information from the student; prior to permitting the attendance of the student at a school assembly, field trip, or other extracurricular activity; and prior to using videographic, photographic, or audio depictions of the student by the public school or school district. The bill provides that a parent or guardian who is denied one or more of the rights identified under the provisions of the bill may bring a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction for injunctive relief. The bill also provides the Office of the Attorney General with the authority to seek an injunction against the public school or school district if the school or district threatens or denies one or more of the rights identified in the bill.

AI Summary

This bill establishes the "Parents' Bill of Rights Act," which prohibits public schools and school districts from interfering with or denying certain rights of parents and guardians of enrolled students. These rights include the ability to review curricula, access student records, and be informed about school personnel, data collection, and safety incidents. The bill also requires schools to provide class syllabi and reading lists, obtain parental consent before certain actions, and prohibits schools from requiring nondisclosure agreements to access materials. Parents denied these rights can bring civil actions for injunctive relief, and the Attorney General can seek injunctions against schools that threaten or deny these rights.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 05/20/2024)

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