New Jersey Senate Bill S4357

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/12/25
• Refer: 5/12/25

Caption

Requires nonpublic school to forward student discipline records of students who transfer to public school.

Impact

If passed, S4357 will create a direct protocol for the transfer of disciplinary records similar to existing laws governing the transfer of other student records. Current legislation facilitates the movement of records for public school students transferring between districts but fails to address nonpublic school students. This bill thereby closes a significant gap in student record-keeping and oversight in New Jersey, ensuring that public schools are aware of any disciplinary issues that might affect a student’s education.

Summary

Senate Bill S4357 proposes a legislative requirement for nonpublic schools in New Jersey to forward student disciplinary records to public schools when a student transfers from a nonpublic institution to a public one. The bill mandates that the chief school administrator of the nonpublic school must provide all relevant disciplinary action information upon receiving a written request from the school district receiving the transferring student. This provision aims to ensure that a student’s history regarding discipline is accessible to their new public school, contributing to informed decision-making regarding their educational path.

Contention

Potential points of contention surrounding S4357 include concerns regarding privacy and the procedures for handling sensitive disciplinary information. Critics may argue that forwarding records without the explicit consent of the parent or adult student could infringe on privacy rights. However, the bill clarifies that written consent is not required, which may provoke debate about the ethics of such practices in educational environments. This could lead to discussions on balancing student rights and the necessity for public schools to be informed about past disciplinary issues.