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Bill > S2527


NJ S2527

NJ S2527
Directs Attorney General to establish program for anonymous reporting of potential threats to school safety.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires the Attorney General, in consultation with the New Jersey Education and Law Enforcement Working Group, to establish a program that provides a means for the public to anonymously report information concerning unsafe, potentially harmful, dangerous, violent, or criminal activities in schools or the threat of those activities. The program will allow students, parents, school staff, and other community members to anonymously report information through readily accessible methods such as a telephone tip line, that is staffed by trained individuals at reasonable hours each day of the week, and a mobile application. The program must ensure that the identity of the reporting party remains unknown, except in instances where the reporting party voluntarily discloses his identity and verifies that his identity may be shared with law enforcement officers, school officials, and employees operating the program. The bill requires that information received through the program be promptly shared with the appropriate law enforcement agencies or school officials. Under the bill, training will be provided to law enforcement dispatch centers, school districts, nonpublic schools, and other entities determined by the Attorney General on awareness of the program and appropriate response to tips received through the program. Proper guidelines will be provided to students regarding the procedures for reporting potential threats to school safety. In addition, program awareness and education materials will be provided to all public and nonpublic schools in the State. The program established under this bill would be similar to Colorado's "Safe2Tell" program, which provides an anonymous and readily accessible tool for the reporting and sharing of information regarding potential threats to school safety. This bill also requires the Attorney General to annually prepare a report on the program that includes, but is not limited to, the following: (1) the total number of reports made to the program, disaggregated by subgroups to be determined by the Attorney General; (2) the dates, times, and means of reporting; (3) the total number of instances of misuse of the program; and (4) a summary of the outcomes and actions taken on reports made to the program. The Attorney General is required to submit the report to the Governor and the Education Committees of the Senate and General Assembly and post the report on the Internet website of the Department of Law and Public Safety by January 1 of the year immediately following issuance of the report.

AI Summary

This bill directs the Attorney General to establish a program, in consultation with the New Jersey Education and Law Enforcement Working Group, to allow the public, including students, parents, and school staff, to anonymously report potential threats to school safety through accessible methods like a telephone tip line and a mobile app, ensuring the reporter's identity remains confidential unless voluntarily disclosed for law enforcement or school officials to use, and requiring prompt sharing of information with appropriate authorities. The program will also provide training on awareness and response to law enforcement dispatch centers and schools, offer guidelines for students on reporting, and distribute educational materials statewide, similar to Colorado's "Safe2Tell" program. Furthermore, the Attorney General must annually report on the program's usage, including the number of reports, reporting methods, instances of misuse, and actions taken, submitting this report to the Governor and legislative committees and posting it online by January 1st each year.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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