New Jersey Assembly Bill A377

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Clarifies policy analysis and development under "Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act"; strengthens investigations; amends definition of harassment, intimidation, and bullying; and allows anti-bullying specialists to receive remuneration.

Impact

A crucial part of A377 is the requirement for school boards to create a School Safety Committee tasked with overseeing the implementation of harassment, intimidation, and bullying policies and ensuring compliance with existing law. The bill supports the appointment of anti-bullying specialists who will be eligible for a stipend, potentially enhancing their commitment and effectiveness in tackling bullying in schools. Furthermore, the bill allows school districts to seek reimbursement from the Department of Education if the stipend presents a financial burden on the district, making financial considerations manageable.

Summary

Bill A377 seeks to amend New Jersey's existing 'Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act' by clarifying and expanding the definitions of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. This bill emphasizes the importance of addressing such behaviors specifically among students and aims to enhance the frameworks that schools utilize to develop their anti-bullying policies. A377 calls for school districts to establish detailed guidance on their policies and develop a Responsible Use Policy pertaining to the use of the Internet by students.

Contention

While proponents argue that A377 enhances protections for students and aids schools in effectively combating bullying, some may see it as bureaucratic overreach, imposing additional requirements on local school districts. There could be concern regarding the adequacy of funding to support the stipends for anti-bullying specialists and whether the new policies will translate into meaningful, on-the-ground changes in how schools deal with harassment and bullying.