ASSEMBLY, No. 4454

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

219th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED JULY 27, 2020

 


 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  CAROL A. MURPHY

District 7 (Burlington)

Assemblywoman  VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON

District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Requires school districts to provide instruction on diversity and inclusion as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  


An Act concerning diversity and inclusion instruction in school districts and supplementing chapter 35 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    a.  Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, each school district shall incorporate instruction on diversity and inclusion into the curriculum for students in grades 9 through 12 as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

     b.    The instruction shall:

     (1)   highlight and promote diversity, equity, inclusion, tolerance and belonging on topics including: gender and sexual orientation; race and ethnicity; disabilities; religious tolerance; and unconscious bias; and

     (2)   encourage safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments for all students regardless of race or ethnicity, sexual and gender identities, mental and physical disabilities, and religious beliefs.

     c.     The Commissioner of Education shall provide school districts with sample learning activities and resources designed to promote diversity and inclusion.

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill requires school districts to provide instruction on diversity and inclusion as part of the implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education for students in grades 9 through 12. The instruction is to:

·        highlight and promote diversity, equity, inclusion, tolerance and belonging on topics including: gender and sexual orientation; race and ethnicity; disabilities; religious tolerance; and unconscious bias; and

·        encourage safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments for all students regardless of race or ethnicity, sexual and gender identities, mental and physical disabilities, and religious beliefs.

     Under the bill, the Commissioner of Education will provide school districts with sample learning activities and resources designed to promote diversity and inclusion.