Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Requires Commissioner of Education to develop guidelines for school districts concerning students’ right to wear articles of faith.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the right to wear articles of faith in public schools and supplementing chapter 36 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statues.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Commissioner of Education shall develop and distribute to school districts guidelines concerning a student’s right to wear articles of faith. The purpose of the guidelines shall be to provide direction for schools in addressing common issues concerning the rights of students with respect to wearing articles of faith in school, and to assist school districts in establishing policies and procedures that ensure a supportive and nondiscriminatory environment for students of all religious faiths.
b. The guidelines developed by the commissioner shall include, but not be limited to, information and guidance regarding the following:
(1) providing an overview of the rights established and protected by various sources, including the United States Constitution, the New Jersey Constitution, federal and State law, and case law, concerning religious freedom, and any limitations those sources place on a student’s rights to wear articles of faith in school;
(2) maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment that is free from discrimination and harassment for students of all religious faiths; and
(3) ensuring that teachers and school counselors are knowledgeable regarding issues and concerns relevant to a student’s right to wear articles of faith in school.
c. The guidelines shall include information on organizations or other resources available to students and parents that provide support to students of various religious faiths.
d. The commissioner shall periodically review the guidelines developed pursuant to this section, and shall update or modify the guidelines, as appropriate, in accordance with applicable current State or federal laws and regulations.
2. The Commissioner of Education shall provide school districts with guidance and resources, including providing professional development opportunities to teachers, administrators, school counselors, bus drivers, coaches, and other school staff regarding a student’s right to wear articles of faith in school, as well as guidance and resources for any other issues or concerns relevant to students of various religious faiths as deemed necessary by the commissioner.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Commissioner of Education to develop and distribute to school districts guidelines concerning a student’s right to wear articles of faith in school. The purpose of the guidelines is to provide direction for schools in addressing common issues concerning the rights of students with respect to wearing articles of faith in school, and to assist school districts in establishing policies and procedures that ensure a supportive and nondiscriminatory environment for students of all religious faiths.
Under the bill, the guidelines developed by the commissioner will include, but not be limited to, information and guidance regarding the following:
(1) providing an overview of the rights established and protected by various sources, including the United States Constitution, the New Jersey Constitution, federal and State law, and case law, concerning religious freedom, and any limitations those sources place on a student’s rights to wear articles of faith in school;
(2) maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment that is free from discrimination and harassment for students of all religious faiths; and
(3) ensuring that teachers and school counselors are knowledgeable regarding issues and concerns relevant to a student’s right to wear articles of faith in school.
The guidelines will include information on organizations or other resources available to students and parents that provide support to students of various religious faiths.
The commissioner is required to periodically review the guidelines developed pursuant to this section, and shall update or modify the guidelines, as appropriate, in accordance with applicable current State or federal laws and regulations.
The commissioner will provide school districts with guidance and resources, including providing professional development opportunities to teachers, administrators, school counselors, bus drivers, coaches, and other school staff regarding a student’s right to wear articles of faith in school, as well as guidance and resources for any other issues or concerns relevant to students of various religious faiths deemed necessary by the commissioner.