Bill

Bill > S4182


NJ S4182

Directs Commissioner of Education to develop sensitivity training program for high school athletic directors, coaches, and sports officials of interscholastic athletic sports programs.


summary

Introduced
03/03/2025
In Committee
03/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires the Commissioner of Education to develop an interscholastic sports sensitivity training program for high school athletic directors, coaches, and sports officials. The training program is required to provide information on topics including, but not limited to:· gender and sexual orientation;· race and ethnicity;· disabilities;· religious tolerance;· unconscious bias; and· diversity and inclusion. In the development of the program, the commissioner will consult with the Division on Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The bill also directs the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association to require each person who coaches a public school district or nonpublic school interscholastic high school sport, and an athletic director who oversees a public school district or nonpublic school interscholastic high school sports program, to complete the training program every four years. Under the bill, each newly appointed coach or athletic director must initially complete the training program during his first year in that position. Finally, the bill provides that when an individual applies to a sports officials' chapter or association, the individual must certify that he has completed the training program. An active sports official must complete the training program every four years.

AI Summary

This bill directs the New Jersey Commissioner of Education to develop a comprehensive sensitivity training program for high school sports professionals, including athletic directors, coaches, and sports officials. The training program will cover critical topics such as gender and sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, disabilities, religious tolerance, unconscious bias, and diversity and inclusion. In developing the program, the Commissioner will collaborate with the Division on Civil Rights to ensure its effectiveness. The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association will be required to mandate that all coaches and athletic directors complete this training every four years, with newly appointed personnel required to complete the training during their first year in the position. Additionally, sports officials will need to certify completion of the training when applying to a sports officials' chapter or association and must renew their training every four years. The program will be regularly updated to reflect the most current information and promote productive discussions about diversity. The bill is designed to create a more inclusive and understanding environment in high school athletic programs by ensuring sports professionals are educated about sensitive and important social issues.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 03/03/2025)

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