Bill > A4038

Introduced Session

This bill establishes the New Jersey Commission on College and School Safety and Security. The commission is allocated within the Department of Education, but is independent of any supervision or control by the department thereof. The commission is responsible for studying and developing recommendations to improve school safety and security at institutions of higher education and public and nonpublic preschool, elementary, and secondary schools throughout the State. The commission is to consist of 17 members that include individuals representing State government, institutions of higher education, law enforcement officers, public and nonpublic schools, and individuals with expertise in school security. It is the duty of the commission to identify potential security challenges and vulnerabilities at institutions of higher education and public and nonpublic preschool, elementary, and secondary schools throughout the State. As to institutions of higher education, the responsibilities and duties of the commission include: (1) reviewing campus emergency management plans, emergency response capabilities, and any other practices implemented at institutions of higher education; (2) assessing current response times in emergency situations, including lockdowns, active shooters, and bomb threats; (3) assessing and analyzing the effectiveness of current campus technology used to ensure safety and security on college campuses; (4) reviewing the physical infrastructure on college campuses and the extent to which campuses are equipped with features, technology, and services to ensure the safety and security of students, faculty, and visitors; (5) analyzing the mental health services and training provided on college campuses as it relates to campus security; (6) considering strategies to ensure the needs of students with disabilities are reflected in all areas of emergency planning and response measures; and (7) developing, based upon the knowledge and experience of its members, guidelines and recommendations on best practices for ensuring a safe and secure school environment. As to public and nonpublic preschool, elementary, and secondary schools, the responsibilities and duties of the commission include: (1) reviewing current school safety and security plans adopted by public and nonpublic schools; (2) assessing current response times in emergency situations, including lockdowns, active shooters, and bomb threats; (3) assessing and analyzing the effectiveness of current school technology used to ensure safety and security of school facilities and grounds; (4) assessing the impact of "Alyssa's Law," which generally required the installation of panic alarms in public schools; (5) reviewing the physical infrastructure of public and nonpublic schools and the extent to which schools are equipped with features, technology, and services to ensure the safety and security of students, staff, and visitors; (6) analyzing the mental health services and training provided at schools as it relates to school security; (7) considering strategies to ensure the needs of students with disabilities are reflected in all areas of emergency planning and response measures; and (8) developing, based upon the knowledge and experience of its members, guidelines and recommendations on best practices for ensuring a safe and secure school environment. Finally the bill requires the Legislature to review, and as appropriate, pursue legislation towards implementing the guidelines and recommendations of the commission. The State is to appropriate such funds as may be necessary to implement the guidelines and recommendations of the commission. The sponsor believes that with the rapid changes in technology and crime prevention, as well as the expansion of preschool education, there is a need for a permanent commission rather than occasional task forces on issues surrounding school security.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Alex Sauickie (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 02/12/2026)

Official Document