New Jersey Assembly Bill A2711

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/14/22
• Refer: 2/14/22

Caption

Harmonizes the disqualifying offenses and certain other criminal history record background check requirements applicable to home instructors employed under DOE or DHS authority.

Impact

The bill seeks to eliminate the potential for 'agency shopping,' where individuals could secure employment under less stringent DHS standards even if their criminal history would disqualify them in DOE contexts. By creating a unified criterion for disqualification based on serious criminal offenses, including felonies and certain misdemeanors, A2711 promotes greater safety for children receiving educational services, aligning the protection levels across both departments. This can potentially enhance confidence in the home instruction system for both parents and educational authorities.

Summary

A2711 is a bill introduced in the New Jersey Legislature that aims to standardize the criminal history background check requirements for home instructors employed under the Department of Education (DOE) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) authority. The primary objective of this legislation is to harmonize disqualifying offenses between these two departments, ensuring that individuals employed as home instructors are subject to consistent screening protocols regardless of their employing agency. This is crucial as discrepancies in the current system have led to individuals with serious convictions being approved for positions where they would have otherwise been disqualified under DOE standards.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding the bill include concerns about the fairness and thoroughness of the proposed background check procedures. Critics argue that the proposed measures might unfairly penalize individuals seeking rehabilitation or those with past convictions for minor offenses. Proponents emphasize that the need to protect children and maintain high employment standards in educational environments outweighs these concerns, particularly given the potential dangers of employing individuals with violent or drug-related histories to work closely with minors. The balance between ensuring public safety and allowing second chances for reformed individuals remains a critical debate in discussions of this bill.