Education (School Safety)

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 505: Directs Attorney General to provide annual training to public and nonpublic school students and staff on roles and responsibilities before, during, and after school emergencies.

S 505 requires New Jersey's Attorney General, working with the Department of Education, to provide annual emergency training to all public and nonpublic school staff and students. The training covers roles during school emergencies like lockdowns, active shooter incidents, and bomb threats, focusing on preparation before, during, and after events. It mandates face-to-face regional sessions plus online access, including instruction on incident command systems and response protocols beyond standard lockdowns. The Department of Education must distribute an annual calendar detailing training dates, locations, and online resources for schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates annual emergency training for school staff/students, enhancing school safety - a critical component of a functional educational environment. This directly supports education by protecting students and staff during emergencies.80% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 175: Establishes Anti-Bullying Youth Council to assist Anti-Bullying Task Force.

S 175 establishes an Anti-Bullying Youth Council composed of 21 student members (appointed by county school superintendents from public and nonpublic middle/high schools) and 4 nonvoting legislative advisors. The council’s primary role is to research bullying issues in schools, provide youth perspectives, and make specific policy recommendations to the existing Anti-Bullying Task Force. It must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, including public recommendations online, and expire when the Task Force ends. The bill directly affects students in New Jersey schools by creating a formal channel for their input on anti-bullying efforts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes youth council to address school bullying, enhancing student safety and school climate - directly advancing K-12 educational environment priorities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1007: Mandates additional requirements for anti-bullying policies of public schools, expands information provided in DOE guidance document on bullying, and requires parents be provided clear explanation of student rights in school bullying investigations.

This bill (S 1007) requires New Jersey public school districts to strengthen their anti-bullying policies and procedures. It mandates that policies include specific elements like clear definitions of bullying, student behavior expectations, and consequences, while requiring schools to report incidents verbally the same day and in writing within two school days. The bill also requires schools to provide parents with written details about investigations - including findings, discipline, or services - within five school days, and expands Department of Education guidance on bullying. These changes directly affect school districts, staff, parents, and students involved in bullying incidents.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates stronger anti-bullying policies, requiring clear definitions, reporting timelines, and parent notifications, directly enhancing student safety in K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2833: Establishes task force to examine school discipline practices including racial disparities and effectiveness.

This bill establishes an 11-member task force to examine school discipline practices in New Jersey public schools, focusing specifically on racial disparities in how policies are applied and the effectiveness of current approaches. The task force will study in-school suspensions, expulsions, physical restraint, and other discipline methods, while reviewing federal guidance like the 2014 "Dear Colleague" letter on equitable discipline. Composed of education officials, school association representatives, and public experts, the group must issue a final report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 12 months. The bill itself does not change existing policies but creates a formal process to evaluate and improve school discipline equity.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAddresses racial disparities in school discipline, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce inequities in the school-to-prison pipeline.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates task force to examine racial disparities in school discipline and improve equity, directly advancing educational equity and effectiveness in K-12 settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SR 28: Urges Attorney General and Department of Education to regularly update "Law Enforcement Directive No. 2007-1" and "School Safety and Security Manual: Best Practices Guidelines."

This Senate Resolution (SR 28) urges the New Jersey Department of Education and Attorney General to regularly update two school safety documents last revised in 2007: the *School Safety and Security Manual: Best Practices Guidelines* and *Law Enforcement Directive No. 2007-1*. It directs these entities to review and revise the documents to reflect current best practices for school safety, ensuring school personnel and law enforcement have up-to-date guidance on topics like emergency response and security protocols. The resolution does not create new requirements but calls for ongoing updates to address evolving safety needs. The resolution was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Education Committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUrges updating school safety guidelines to reflect current best practices, enhancing student/staff protection in K-12 schools - a protective measure for educational environments.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1953: Requires exterior exit doors in school buildings to remain unlocked from egress side and locked from access side at all times.

This bill requires all New Jersey school buildings (with two or more rooms, or single-room schools above the first floor) to keep exterior exit doors locked from the outside access side at all times but unlocked on the inside exit side for safe evacuation. During emergencies like fire alarms, school staff must manually unlock exterior doors or use automatic systems to allow outside access. Schools must also conduct monthly security drills (with police presence at least once yearly) and fire drills using fire escapes where available. The law directly affects all New Jersey public schools and aims to balance security with rapid emergency egress.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires school exit safety protocols and drills, improving physical infrastructure and student safety in K-12 environments.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1004: Permits school districts to employ safe schools resource officers or Class Three special law enforcement officers for security purposes, and requires school districts to have agreement with local law enforcement governing placement of school security personnel.

This bill allows New Jersey public school districts to hire state-certified security officers - either "safe schools resource officers" or "Class Three special law enforcement officers" - to provide security during school hours. The state will fund these positions for districts that choose to implement them, covering costs for new hires after the bill takes effect. School districts must also create written agreements with local law enforcement (or the State Police if no local department exists), detailing roles, training, firearm authority, and operational procedures. The policy directly affects all public school districts in New Jersey, requiring standardized security protocols for officer placement.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides state funding for school security officers, enhancing school safety as part of educational environment and school funding policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 796: Permits public and nonpublic schools to utilize security categorical aid to hire school security personnel.

S 796 (New Jersey Senate Bill) allows school districts to use existing security categorical aid funding to hire school security personnel for both public and nonpublic schools within their district. The bill amends the "Secure Schools for All Children Act" to explicitly state that security services - including hiring security staff - can be paid for with this dedicated funding. Currently, school districts must provide security services to nonpublic school students, but this clarifies that hiring security personnel is an approved use of the existing security funding. The change makes current Department of Education guidance about allowable security expenditures consistent with the law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies existing security funds can hire school security personnel, enhancing school safety infrastructure within education policy.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1112: Requires school buses that transport students with special needs to be equipped with certain safety features.

This bill requires all New Jersey school buses transporting students with special needs to install three safety features: interior video cameras to monitor student safety, real-time GPS tracking for location/speed, and two-way communication equipment (like cell phones). It directly affects school bus operators and students with special needs by mandating these safety technologies. The bill specifies that collected video footage and GPS data are not considered government records, and it directs the State Board of Education and Motor Vehicle Commission to create rules for installing, using, and retaining this data. Implementation is scheduled for six months after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates safety features (cameras, GPS, comms) for special needs student transportation, directly protecting student safety and enhancing educational access as part of school safety protocols.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates safety features (cameras, GPS, comms) for school buses, directly enhancing vehicle safety standards in transportation infrastructure.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Public Transit

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2627: Establishes Advisory Commission on Advancing LGBTQIA+ Youth Equity and Inclusion in Schools.

S 2627 establishes a permanent 25-member Advisory Commission on Advancing LGBTQIA+ Youth Equity and Inclusion in Schools within New Jersey's Executive Branch. The commission, appointed by state leaders and including representatives from education associations, advocacy groups, and state agencies, will review school policies affecting LGBTQIA+ students and recommend strategies to reduce bullying, improve mental health support, and ensure inclusive curriculum content. It directly serves LGBTQIA+ students in New Jersey public schools by guiding state efforts to create safer learning environments. The bill does not enact new school policies but creates a body to study challenges and advise the Department of Education, following a 2024 executive order.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes commission to advance LGBTQIA+ inclusion in schools, reduce bullying, improve mental health support, and ensure inclusive curriculum - directly advancing educational equity and access for students.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to improve mental health support for LGBTQIA+ students in schools, directly aligning with healthcare support indicators for mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Safety Mental Health

Track