ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2711

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  NOVEMBER 26, 2018

      The Assembly Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2711 with committee amendments.

     As amended, this bill requires that all candidates for teaching certification receive training on the recognition of, and the requirement to report, child abuse including sexual abuse. Under the bill, beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, all candidates for teaching certification who have completed a teacher preparation program at a regionally-accredited institution of higher education must have satisfactorily completed a program on the recognition of, and the requirement to report, child abuse including sexual abuse. Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, any person seeking certification through the alternate route must complete the program within one year of being employed. The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Children and Families, will establish the appropriate requirements of the program.

     As amended and reported by committee, this bill is identical to Assembly Bill No. 4405 with Assembly committee amendments which also was reported by the committee on this same date.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill to provide that the State Board of Education will consult with the Department of Children and Families when it establishes the requirements of the program.