New Jersey Assembly Bill A297

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Directs Attorney General to provide annual training to public and nonpublic school students and staff on roles and responsibilities before, during, and after school emergencies.

Impact

The implementation of A297 is expected to amend existing school safety policies by mandating comprehensive emergency response training. This will involve collaboration among local educational authorities, emergency responders, and law enforcement agencies to ensure training programs are effectively executed. Such training will include current best practices for managing school emergencies and will use a range of instructional techniques, including practical drills and exercises designed to bolster readiness.

Summary

Assembly Bill A297 directs the Attorney General, in collaboration with the Department of Education, to provide annual training to both public and nonpublic school students and staff focusing on their roles and responsibilities during school emergencies. This includes situations such as lockdowns, bomb threat evacuations, and active shooter incidents. The intent of the bill is to enhance preparedness and response capabilities of school personnel and students in the face of emergencies, thereby improving overall school safety.

Enactment

A297 stipulates that the training will be disseminated through a state calendar detailing session timings and locations, facilitating access to this critical training. The act is set to take effect at the commencement of the new school year following its enactment, thereby providing schools with adequate time to prepare for the required training sessions.

Contention

While the bill has strong support for its intentions to protect students and staff, there may be concerns regarding the effectiveness and implementation of the annual training. Critics could argue that while training is crucial, the pressure to conduct such programs under tight budgets and varying resources might hinder its effectiveness. Additionally, the required face-to-face training may pose logistical challenges for some schools, especially those in underserved areas.