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Bill > A1958


NJ A1958

NJ A1958
Requires anti-bullying policy of public schools to include provision requiring principal to make preliminary determination and meet with parents of students involved in alleged bullying incident for that determination; extends time for investigating incident.


summary

Introduced
01/09/2018
In Committee
01/09/2018
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/08/2020

Introduced Session

2018-2019 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Current law requires each school district to adopt a policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation or bullying. Under these policies, after an incident of harassment, intimidation, or bullying has been reported to the principal, he must inform the parents and guardians of all students involved in the alleged incident. This bill specifies that the policy must also include a provision that requires the principal to make a preliminary determination as to whether a reported incident or complaint is a report of an act of harassment, intimidation, or bullying as those terms are defined by law, prior to initiating an investigation. The policy must also provide that the principal hold a separate meeting with the parents or guardians of each student involved in the alleged incident within seven days of informing them of the alleged incident, in order to assist the principal in making the preliminary determination. The bill also provides that the investigation of the alleged incident must be completed no later than 30 days from the date the written report of the incident is provided to the principal. Current law requires the investigation to be completed no later than 10 days from the date the written report is provided. This bill extends the time frame to allow a sufficient time period for the principal to hold the meetings with the parents or guardians and make a preliminary determination regarding the alleged incident.

AI Summary

This bill amends the existing law on harassment, intimidation, and bullying in public schools. The key provisions are: 1. The school district's anti-bullying policy must now include a requirement that the principal make a preliminary determination on whether an alleged incident is actually an act of harassment, intimidation, or bullying before initiating an investigation. The principal must also hold a separate meeting with the parents or guardians of each student involved within seven days to assist in this preliminary determination. 2. The timeline for completing the investigation of an alleged incident is extended from 10 days to 30 days, to allow sufficient time for the principal to hold the meetings with parents and make the preliminary determination. The bill aims to provide a more thorough and streamlined process for addressing alleged bullying incidents in public schools, by requiring an initial assessment and parental involvement before a full investigation is launched.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Women and Children Committee (on 01/09/2018)

bill text


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