New Jersey Assembly Bill A1815

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

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

Caption

Allows law enforcement agencies to provide juvenile-family crisis information to principal of juvenile's school for planning programs relevant to juvenile's educational and social development.

Impact

The introduction of A1815 is expected to amend existing laws regarding the confidentiality of juvenile information as established in P.L.1982, c.79. This act will allow for a collaborative effort between educational and law enforcement entities, creating a network of support aimed at improving the life outcomes for at-risk juveniles. However, it also places stipulations that no records of the disclosed information can be maintained, which ensures that the privacy of the juveniles is upheld while still providing necessary support.

Summary

Assembly Bill A1815 focuses on enhancing the support system for juveniles involved in family crises by facilitating communication between law enforcement agencies and educational institutions. The bill allows law enforcement to provide critical information about a juvenile in crisis to the school principal confidentially. This aims to assist school staff in planning tailored programs that support the juvenile's educational and social development without compromising their privacy rights.

Contention

While the bill appears to have a clear intent to benefit juveniles facing family crises, potential points of contention may arise around the balance of confidentiality and the need for appropriate intervention. Critics may argue that any sharing of information could lead to unintended consequences, such as penalizing the juvenile in academic settings, despite the assurance that the information will not be used for discipline. The lack of a maintained record could also raise concerns about accountability and tracking the effectiveness of the interventions planned based on the shared information.