ASSEMBLY HOMELAND SECURITY AND STATE PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 3839

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 16, 2020

      The Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 3839.

      As reported by the committee, this bill makes an FY 2020 supplemental appropriation of $20 million to the Department of Education.  This appropriation provides funds to school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools for the purpose of increasing the frequency and intensity of the cleaning and sanitizing of school facilities in the event that the school is provided a written directive by either the New Jersey Department of Health or the health officer of the relevant jurisdiction to institute a public health-related closure due to the COVID-19 epidemic.  The funds will be used for the purchase of disinfectants and other cleaning supplies, and for any increase in personnel costs associated with the enhanced cleaning schedule.  Under the bill, the Commissioner of Education is directed to establish an expedited application, approval, and disbursement process for the funds.  The commissioner will allocate the funds in proportion to the number of students enrolled in the school district, and in the charter schools and nonpublic schools located in that school district as compared to the total number of students enrolled in all school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools.