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Bill > A395
NJ A395
NJ A395Requires New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association to require criminal history records check for person to serve as official at athletic events sanctioned by association.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires that a criminal history records check be conducted on any person who serves as an official for an interscholastic athletics meet, game, or tournament sanctioned by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA). Under the bill's provisions, the association is to request the check through the Commissioner of Education. A prospective or current official will submit his name, address, and fingerprints to the NJSIAA which will then forward this documentation to the commissioner. The bill authorizes the commissioner to exchange fingerprint data with and receive criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the State Bureau of Identification in the Division of State Police. In conducting the check, the State Bureau of Identification will examine its own files and will arrange for a similar examination by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Identification Division. A prospective or current official will be disqualified from serving as an official for any interscholastic athletic events sanctioned by the NJSIAA if the person's criminal history record information reveals a record of conviction for a disqualifying crime or offense. The bill incorporates by reference the list of disqualifying crimes and offenses applicable to prospective school employees. Following qualification to serve as an official, the State Bureau of Identification will immediately forward to the commissioner any information which the bureau receives on a charge pending against the official. If the charge is for a disqualifying crime or offense, the commissioner will notify the NJSIAA, and the association will take appropriate action. If the pending charge results in conviction, the person will be disqualified from continuing to serve as an official.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), which oversees high school athletic events in the state, must require a criminal history records check for anyone serving as an official at these events. A criminal history records check involves verifying if a person has a criminal record by comparing their name and fingerprints with databases from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the State Bureau of Identification. The NJSIAA will request these checks through the Commissioner of Education, and prospective or current officials will need to provide their personal information and fingerprints, covering the cost of the check themselves. If an official's criminal history reveals a conviction for certain disqualifying crimes or offenses, similar to those that would prevent someone from working in schools, they will be barred from officiating. Furthermore, if an official is charged with a disqualifying crime or offense after being cleared, and this charge leads to a conviction, they will be removed from their officiating duties.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A395 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A0500/395_I1.HTM |
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