ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE, No. 2575

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  JANUARY 24, 2019

 

      The Assembly Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2575.

     This bill establishes an eleven-member task force to examine, evaluate, and make recommendations regarding the “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act,”  P.L.2002, c.83 (C.18A:37-13 et seq.), as amended and supplemented by P.L.2010, c.122 (C.18A:37-13.1 et al.).  Nine members of the task force will have a background in, or special knowledge of, the legal, policy, educational, social, or psychological aspects of bullying in public schools.  Two of these members will be appointed by the Senate President, two will be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, and five will be appointed by the Governor.  The task force also will include two members of the public, one of whom is a family member of a student who has experienced bullying and one of whom is a student over the age of 17 who personally has experienced bullying.

     Under the bill, the task force is charged with studying and evaluating the current implementation of the “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act,” identifying areas for improvement, and making recommendations regarding any appropriate changes or updates to the law.  The task force will:

·         examine and evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of the “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act” in the schools of the State;

·         examine any unintended consequences resulting from implementation of the “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act” and the regulations promulgated pursuant to the act, including, but not limited to, impacts of the law on athletic coaches; and

·         present any recommendations deemed necessary and appropriate to modify or update the “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act” and its implementing regulations.

The task force will hold at least one public hearing during the course of its work to receive public input on these issues.

      The task force is required to issue a final report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature within 180 days of its organization.

      As reported by the committee, this bill is identical to Assembly Bill No. 4848, which also was reported by the committee on this same date.