New Jersey Senate Bill S2018

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/3/22
• Refer: 3/3/22

Caption

Prohibits public school students and employees from immediately returning to school after traveling to certain places during public health emergencies.

Impact

The law seeks to ensure the safety and health of students and staff by limiting exposure to potentially contagious individuals. Should this bill be enacted, it will amend existing education statutes to allow for excused absences resulting from mandated quarantine protocols, thus recording them as such in students' attendance records. Additionally, these absences will not adversely affect students' academic standing or their rights to participate in virtual learning opportunities offered by their schools during this time. This aims to provide educational continuity despite physical absence.

Summary

S2018 is a bill introduced in New Jersey that aims to regulate the return of students and school employees to public schools following travel during a declared public health emergency. The bill mandates that individuals, who have traveled internationally or to designated states under a travel advisory due to contagious diseases, must remain out of the school premises until a specified period has elapsed or certain conditions are met, which includes completing 14 days post-return or receiving a negative test for the disease. This measure is emphasized to mitigate the risk of spreading infections within schools during health crises.

Contention

While the intention behind S2018 is to protect public health, there are potential points of contention regarding enforcement and the implications of such travel restrictions. Some could argue that the bill may overly restrict the freedom of students and staff, particularly in a public health context where travel is necessary for family or employment reasons. Others may raise concerns about the adequacy of responses to the evolving nature of public health emergencies and whether the defined periods and protocols align effectively with best practices as recommended by healthcare professionals. The effectiveness of virtual instruction also raises questions about educational equity and access during mandated absences.