New Jersey Assembly Bill A4917

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/5/22
• Refer: 12/5/22

Caption

Requires boards of education to adopt policies pertaining to use of safe schools resource officers and referral of students to law enforcement.

Impact

The legislation is poised to impact existing state laws concerning student management and law enforcement interaction in educational settings. By standardizing the referral process to law enforcement, it aims to create a more structured environment that safeguards the rights of students and emphasizes their overall well-being. Each school district will be required to implement training for staff regarding these policies, consequently increasing awareness and compliance with legal standards associated with student referrals to law enforcement.

Summary

Assembly Bill A4917 mandates that boards of education develop and adopt policies regarding the role of safe schools resource officers and the process for referring students to law enforcement. The bill calls for written documentation to support referrals made by school employees to safe schools resource officers and requires that parents or guardians are offered the opportunity for in-person discussions concerning available behavioral interventions. It emphasizes the need for timely notifications to parents when a student is cited or referred to law enforcement, thereby ensuring greater transparency in the involvement of law enforcement within schools.

Contention

Points of contention surrounding A4917 may emerge from concerns about the adequacy and effectiveness of the proposed training for safe schools resource officers and educators. Critics may question whether merely providing documentation and a structured referral process is enough to address the nuanced issues surrounding youth behavior and law enforcement involvement. Additionally, the bill places specific parameters concerning data disaggregation by race, gender, and socioeconomic status, which could lead to discussions about privacy and data management in school settings.