Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman PATRICIA EGAN JONES
District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblywoman PAMELA R. LAMPITT
District 6 (Burlington and Camden)
Assemblywoman CAROL A. MURPHY
District 7 (Burlington)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen Johnson, Howarth, Assemblywomen McKnight, Reynolds-Jackson, Assemblymen Holley, DePhillips and Zwicker
SYNOPSIS
Permits use of public schools and school district property for certain child care services for children younger than school age.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning child care services on school district property and amending N.J.S.18A:20-34.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. N.J.S.18A:20-34 is amended to read as follows:
18A:20-34. The board of education of any district may, pursuant to rules adopted by it, permit the use of any schoolhouse and rooms therein, and the grounds and other property of the district, when not in use for school purposes, for any of the following purposes:
a. The assembly of persons for the purpose of giving and receiving instruction in any branch of education, learning, or the arts, including the science of agriculture, horticulture, and floriculture;
b. Public library purposes or stations of public libraries;
c. The holding of such social, civic, and recreational meetings and entertainments and such other purposes as may be approved by the board;
d. Such meetings, entertainments, and occasions where admission fees are charged as may be approved by the board;
e. Polling places, holding elections, registration of voters, and holding political meetings;
f. Child care services provided by the board of education, or a board approved sponsor, or a child care program licensed pursuant to P.L.1983, c.492 (C.30:5B-1 et seq.), before or after regular school hours, for any school aged child who attends school within the school district ;
g. (1) Child care services provided by the board of education, a board approved sponsor, or a child care program licensed pursuant to P.L.1983, c.492 (C.30:5B-1 et seq.) for children younger than school age and which are provided for less than 24 hours a day. Preference for the child care services for children younger than school age shall be given to children who reside within the school district and to children of persons employed by the school district whether the employee resides within the school district or outside the school district, and if available space permits the school district may provide the child care services to any child who resides outside the school district.
(2) Child care services provided pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection shall meet the standards established in the Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers promulgated pursuant to regulations of the Department of Children and Families. Any revenue raised by a board of education through the provision of child care services pursuant to that paragraph, that exceeds the amount required to provide those child care services, shall be used by the board to support the general fund budget of the school district.
(cf: P.L.1999, c.83, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
Current law at N.J.S.18A:20-34 authorizes the use of public school buildings and school district property for certain other purposes when not in use for school purposes. The authorized uses include child care services before or after regular school hours for school aged children who attend school within the district.
This bill would amend current law to also authorize the use of public school buildings and school district property for child care services for children younger than school age. The child care services would operate for less than 24 hours a day and may be provided by the board of education, a board approved sponsor, or a child care program licensed pursuant to P.L.1983, c.492 (C.30:5B-1 et seq.). The bill provides that preference for the child care services would be required to be given to children who reside within the school district and to children of persons employed by the district, whether the employee resides within or outside the district. If available space permits, the district may provide the child care services to any child who resides outside the district.
The child care services permitted under the bill are required to meet the standards established in the Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers promulgated pursuant to regulations of the Department of Children and Families. Any revenue raised by a board of education through the provision of the child care services that exceeds the amount required to provide the services, is required to be used by the board to support the general fund budget of the school district.