New Jersey Assembly Bill A172

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

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

Caption

Makes supplemental appropriation of up to $20 million from General Fund to DOE to support school facility cleaning and sanitization.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would provide critical financial support to educational institutions to enhance their cleaning protocols amidst ongoing public health concerns. This allocation is expected to reimburse schools for the costs of disinfectants, cleaning supplies, and additional personnel necessary to maintain these enhanced cleaning schedules. The criteria for fund distribution will be based on student enrollment numbers, thus ensuring equity in the allocation of these resources across various types of educational institutions within New Jersey.

Summary

Assembly Bill A172 proposes a supplemental appropriation of up to $20 million from the General Fund to the Department of Education (DOE) to facilitate the cleaning and sanitization of school facilities in response to health-related directives stemming from COVID-19. The bill is particularly focused on supporting school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools that receive written directives from the New Jersey Department of Health or local health officers. The funding is aimed at ensuring schools can meet heightened sanitation standards required during public health emergencies.

Contention

While the bill focuses on immediate sanitation needs linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, it also raises questions about longer-term funding for school health measures. It requires each school applying for funds to report pupil numbers within a specified time frame, which may introduce administrative burdens. There's potential for discussion around the appropriateness of such measures and whether they adequately address the broader needs of schools in maintaining health standards beyond just initial contamination events.