NJ
New Jersey Senate Bill S1670

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill S1670

Introduced
2/14/22  

Caption

The "School Safety and Security Act"; establishes penalties for certain criminal acts committed on school property.

Impact

The bill delineates criminal activities including tampering with school security devices, providing false information, and engaging in threatening behaviors that might trigger emergency protocols unnecessarily. These provisions aim to protect both school personnel and students, mitigating risks that might arise from such actions. If enacted, this could lead to significant changes in how violations at schools are addressed, fostering a safer educational environment by holding individuals accountable for their actions that threaten school security protocols.

Summary

Senate Bill 1670, known as the 'School Safety and Security Act', aims to establish specific penalties for criminal activities related to school safety and security. Currently, while there are provisions to penalize certain criminal acts committed on school property or against school officials, there are no specific statutes within the New Jersey Criminal Code that address school safety related crime comprehensively. This bill proposes to fill that gap by clearly outlining various actions that would qualify as crimes of the fourth degree if they compromise the safety and security of schools.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding the bill may include discussions about the balance between ensuring safety and potentially overcriminalizing behaviors that could arise from misunderstandings or nonmalicious intent. Critics might raise concerns about the implications of criminalizing a wider range of behaviors related to school interactions, potentially leading to excessive legal repercussions for relatively minor infractions. Moreover, establishing clear guidelines for enforcement and communication within schools regarding safety plans is crucial to ensure that the bill's intent is preserved while preventing misuse of its provisions.

Companion Bills

NJ A3636

Same As The "School Safety and Security Act"; establishes penalties for certain criminal acts committed on school property.

Previously Filed As

NJ A3636

The "School Safety and Security Act"; establishes penalties for certain criminal acts committed on school property.

NJ S1673

The "School Safety and Security Act"; establishes penalties for certain criminal acts committed on school property.

NJ A172

The "School Safety and Security Act"; establishes penalties for certain criminal acts committed on school property.

NJ S3079

Establishes School Safety and Security Task Force.

NJ S344

Establishes School Safety and Security Task Force.

NJ A4977

Establishes School Safety and Security Task Force.

NJ SB1664

Relating to the establishment of the school safety technical advisory committee and the school safety accountability program.

NJ SB98

Public K-12 school security; School Security Program, established to require school security inspections and grading; School Security and Fire Safety Fund, established to provide grants; School Mapping Data Program, established to provide criteria for school maps; Department of Education and ALEA, authorized to adopt rules

NJ S2800

Establishes "gun-free" and "weapon free" zones around certain school and public properties.

NJ S1434

Establishes "gun-free" and "weapon free" zones around certain school and public properties.

Similar Bills

NJ A172

The "School Safety and Security Act"; establishes penalties for certain criminal acts committed on school property.

NJ A3636

The "School Safety and Security Act"; establishes penalties for certain criminal acts committed on school property.

NJ S1673

The "School Safety and Security Act"; establishes penalties for certain criminal acts committed on school property.

CA SB541

School safety: lockdown drills and multioption response drills: report.

CA SB1203

School safety: lockdown training.

AL HB42

Relating to public K-12 education; to amend Section 16-1-44, Code of Alabama 1975, providing for comprehensive school emergency operations plans; to require the participation of school resource officers and law enforcement agencies in regularly scheduled lockdown drills; and to designate the days on which lockdown drills are conducted as school safety and awareness days.

IL HB3680

SCH CD-IEP EMERGENCY

NJ A4067

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.