LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 619

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: May 29, 1996

      Assembly Bill No. 619 of 1996 adds instruction on compulsive gambling to the currently required K-12 public school educational program on the nature and effects of drugs, alcohol, anabolic steroids, tobacco and controlled dangerous substances. In addition, the bill requires the Commissioner of Education to include material on the physiological, psychological, sociological and legal aspects of compulsive gambling in the Department of Education's curriculum guidelines for this program.

      The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) is not able to estimate the cost to local school districts of including instruction and instructional material on compulsive gambling within the current mandated curriculum on the nature and effects of drugs, alcohol, anabolic steroids, tobacco and controlled dangerous substances. Under current law such programs are to be taught in each grade from kindergarten through 12 in a manner adapted to the age and understanding of the students. The programs are to be based upon the curriculum guidelines developed by the department. OLS notes that there may be potential costs to school districts related to the purchase of new materials and staff training.

       OLS is of the opinion that there is no State cost associated with this bill and notes that the Department of Education has not submitted data indicating that there would be any additional cost to the department associated with the required change in the department's curriculum guidelines.

      The legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.

This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67.