ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 920

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JANUARY 29, 1996

      The Assembly Education Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 920.

      This bill authorizes boards of education to adopt dress code policies which may include a requirement that students wear a school uniform. The board would adopt the policy if it approves a plan that is initiated by an individual school's principal, staff and parents and determines that the policy will enhance the school learning environment. If the adopted policy requires students to wear uniforms, the specific uniform shall be selected by the principal, staff and parents.

      The bill provides that if a board of education adopts a dress code policy which requires students to wear a school uniform, the board shall provide a method whereby parents may choose not to comply with the uniform policy and stipulates that a student shall not be penalized academically or otherwise if his parents choose not to comply with the uniform policy. Nothing in the bill is to preclude students that participate in a nationally recognized youth organization from wearing organization uniforms to school on the day of scheduled meetings.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 1996 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.