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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
APRIL 18, 2022
The legislature is officially on “budget break,” a bill to end the edTPA as a requirement to get a teaching certificate passed in the full Senate, and a bill to make the NJGPA (the 11th grade exit assessment) a field test passed in the full Assembly.
In this update:
* Take action (please share!)
* State budget
* Desegregation lawsuit
* Session day results
TAKE ACTION
* Ask the Senate to make the NJGPA a field test: https://actioncenter.
* Ask the Assembly to end use of the edTPA as a requirement to get a teaching certificate: https://
* Ask your Assembly members to co-sponsor a bill to add transparency to our community college boards of trustees: https://secure.
STATE BUDGET
The legislature is officially on “budget break.” This means that regular legislative operations have ceased while budget committees hear from members of the public and department heads about the governor’s proposed budget. Budget break, which started at the beginning of April, lasts about a month, with multiple days of hearings.
The public hearings are usually first. Each house has two public hearings, conducted on zoom this year. Members of the public and organizations talk about what they would like to see in the budget. For the rest of the month, cabinet members talk about how the governor’s proposed budget will meet their departmental goals. Departmental hearings are kicked off with the treasurer and the Office of Legislative Services (OLS) sharing their revenue forecasts, then updating them as the last budget hearing in May, after regular legislative business has resumed.
A reminder about Murphy’s budget: he emphasized affordability, economic opportunity, health and safety, and planning for the future. It’s a good budget for public education. The budget
* Fully funds the pension.
* Increases K-12 formula aid by an additional $650 million dollars — for a total of $9.9 billion.
* Expands access to pre-K with an additional $68 million. $40 million goes towards creating 3,000 new pre-K seats.
* Includes $20 million for Stabilization Aid to assist schools losing State Aid, and $13.5 million for Military Impact Aid.
* Invests a total of $430 million in school construction and renovation:
* $80 million for the Schools Development Authority (SDA) and DOE to award for capital maintenance and emergent needs ($50 million for SDA districts, $25 million for non-SDA districts, and $5 million for charter schools.)
* $350 million appropriated for the SDA to reduce the State’s planned debt issuance.
* Creates a sliding scale for Community College Opportunity Grants (CCOG), so over 7,000 more students with household incomes up to $80,000 can benefit.
To kick off this year’s departmental hearings, Treasurer Muoio and OLS presented their budget forecasts. As you can read, OLS suggests that the state will collect $3 billion more between this year and next year. Read more about it here: https://www.
After the treasurer and OLS, the next hearing of note was the Department of Education in the Assembly. This hearing also included the School Development Authority and the Department of Agriculture (mostly because of school meals) but we did get to hear a little about the state’s plan to handle stink bugs and spotted lantern flies. The budget committee spent a lot of time asking the commissioner how the department was helping ensure students would be able to catch up on any learning they missed because of Covid-19. John Mooney covered the hearing here: https://www.
Regular business resumes May 9; budget hearings will continue until mid-May. Then the governor and the legislature will negotiate, and (hopefully) a budget will be voted on before the end of June. Sometimes it’s close, and there’s a lot of talk about possible shutdowns as we approach June 30, the deadline by which the state must have a new budget.
DESEGREGATION LAWSUIT
At the beginning of March, a NJ Superior Court Judge heard arguments in a lawsuit claiming that New Jersey’s schools are segregated, and the state needs to take action to end school segregation. Plaintiffs argued that New Jersey’s policy of having students enroll in school based on their zip code perpetuates the segregation in New Jersey’s schools. The state countered that the plaintiffs did not prove that fixing the problem falls to the state, pointing out that the plaintiffs focused on demographics from 23 districts, while New Jersey has close to 600. Read more about the court hearing: https://www.
At the end of March, the Joint Committee on the Public Schools (JCPS), a bipartisan committee made up of members from both houses of the legislature, heard from school officials and activists about how New Jersey could integrate its schools, which include school choice, magnet schools, and regional schools, but will require more funding. The New Jersey Monitor (newjerseymonitor.com) highlighted the issue in an article today: https://
RESULTS FROM. MARCH 24
* A2067 – Requires Department of Education to annually report use of federal COVID-19 relief funds. (Monitor) (Passed in Assembly)
* A3196 – Requires State Board of Education to administer New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment as field test for class of 2023. (Support) (Passed in Assembly)
* AJR33 – Designates March 31 of each year as “Cesar Chavez Day.” (Support) (Passed in Assembly)
* S525 – Enhances, and allocates funds for, pre-apprenticeship programs. (Support) (Passed in Senate)
* S713 – Requires school districts to include information on events of September 11, 2001 as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies; requires public schools to hold annual events commemorating September 11, 2001. (No Position) (Passed in Senate)
* S896 – Prohibits State Board of Education from requiring completion of performance-based assessment as a condition of eligibility for certificate of eligibility with advanced standing. (Support) (Passed in Senate)
* S1731 – Establishes New Jersey Higher Education Student Advisory Commission. (Support) (Passed in Senate)
* S1929 – Makes FY 2022 supplemental appropriation to provide State military impact aid to certain school districts. (No Position) (Passed in Senate)
* SR69 – Urges Congress to pass a resolution condemning violence against historically Black colleges and universities. (Support) (Resolution passed; Filed with Secretary of Senate)
RESULTS FROM. MARCH 21
* S1800 – Establishes “Purple Star Schools Program” in DOE to recognize public and nonpublic schools which emphasize importance of assisting children of military families. (Support) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Senate)
WHEN IS THE LEGISLATURE MEETING AGAIN? (subject to change)
* Monday, May 9: Assembly and Senate Committees
* Thursday, May 12: Assembly and Senate Committees
* Monday, May 16: Assembly committees at the call; Senate Committees
* Thursday, May 19: Assembly committees at the call; and Senate Committees
* Thursday, May 26: Assembly and Senate Voting Session
* Thursday, June 2: Assembly and Senate Committees
* Monday, June 6: Senate Committees
* Thursday, June 9: Assembly and Senate Committees
* Monday, June 13: Assembly committees at the call; Senate Committees
* Thursday, June 16: Assembly committees at the call; Assembly and Senate Voting session
* Monday, June 20: Assembly committees at the call; Assembly and Senate Voting session
* Thursday, June 23: Assembly committees at the call; Assembly Voting session
* Monday, June 27 Assembly and Senate committees at the call; Assembly and Senate Voting session
* Tuesday, June 28: Assembly committees at the call; Assembly Voting session
* Wednesday, June 29: Assembly committees at the call; Assembly Voting session
* Thursday, June 30: Assembly committees at the call; Assembly and Senate Voting session
[New Jersey Education Association]<https://www.njea.
Francine Pfeffer
Associate Director
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
180 W. State Street
Trenton, NJ 08607-1211
p: 609-599-4561 x 2326
c: 732-280-8324
f: 609-394-3355
— Patricia Robbins
Office Manager , Somerset County Education Association
1140 Route 22 East, Suite 100
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Telephone: (908) 393-9000 Cell: (908) 419-7911
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Legislative Update January 12th, 2022
In this update:
* Legislature
* State of the State
* Emergency powers/mask mandate
* Other stuff
* Action on bills
LEGISLATURE
That’s a wrap! The 221st legislative session wrapped up Monday evening. Any bills that did not pass by the end of the session on Monday have to be reintroduced and go through the legislative process again. The governor has seven days to sign any bills passed on the last day of the session, or they are “pocket vetoed.” (He vetoes the bill by putting it in his pocket and not taking action on it. Any such bills would also have to be reintroduced and go through the legislative process again.)
Yesterday was the first day of the 222nd legislative session, the reorganization (“reorg”) where members are sworn in. This year’s reorg was different than in previous years. The Assembly reorg was limited to family members; only new members and a few leading the ceremony were on stage; the rest were spread out throughout the Trenton War Memorial. The Speaker was not presiding, as he has Covid. The Senate had limited guests and conducted their reorg in the Assembly Chamber. In both chambers, some members participated from home.
This new legislative session comes with many changes to leadership and the houses: new Senate President (Scutari), new Senate Minority Leader (Oroho), new Assembly Minority leader (DiMaio), and 17 new members of the legislature. Not in the count of 17 are four former Assembly members who took Senate seats yesterday. With this change, the Senate Democratic majority is 23-17, a net loss of one seat, while the Assembly Democratic majority is now 46-34, having lost 6 seats.
You can watch both ceremonies.
* Assembly: https://fb.watch/
Interested in just hearing what the leaders had to say?
* Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio: begins at 1:05 on the Assembly link
* Senate Minority Leader Steve Oroho: begins at 1:22 on the Senate link
* Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin: begins at 1:18 on the Assembly link
* Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald: begins slightly after 51 minutes on the Assembly link
* Senate President Nicholas Scutari: begins just before 51 minutes on the Senate link
* Senate Majority leader Theresa Ruiz: Spbegins at 1:10 on the Senate link.
You can read more about the new legislature
GOVERNOR’S STATE OF THE STATE
The start of a new legislative session is also when the governor addresses the legislature with the State of the State. As with the reorg, this is normally a day filled with pomp and circumstance. Typically, lobbyists and party and elected officials cram into the Assembly chamber, probably violating fire code limits. Other than legislators and a select number of special guests, the majority of people attending on the floor stand through the entire speech. The gallery is also packed, with many standing there as well. With Covid, Governor Murphy again recorded the State of the State, released at 5 pm yesterday.
In his speech, he talked about New Jersey’s resilience facing Covid and asked residents to get vaccinated. He talked about making health care and prescriptions more affordable, pledged to not raise taxes, pledged to sign a bill protecting reproductive freedom, pushed for gun safety, discussed his plans for economic growth, and how his budget will focus on affordability and fairness for all New Jerseyans. He also talked about continuing to invest in New Jersey’s best-in-the-nation public education system. Murphy asked all residents to work together to ensure a fairer future for all.
Governor Murphy will get another chance to address the state when he is inaugurated for his second term on January 18. The budget address is scheduled for February 22.
Watch Murphy’s State of the State: https://www.youtube.
Read reports about his speech:
EMERGENCY HEALTH POWERS
Last Thursday, an article surfaced that then-Senate President Sweeney did not want to renew the school-wide mask mandate, set to expire on January 11. This set off a flurry of activity to ensure student and staff safety moving forward. Thank you for your work!
On Monday, both houses of the legislature were set to vote on a resolution which would have extended many of the governor’s emergency powers for 45 days. When Governor Murphy announced at his press briefing that he would make sure the mask mandate stayed, Sweeney and declared that as the governor had not informed the legislature of his intentions, they were not going to renew any of his emergency powers.
Yesterday (Tuesday) Murphy declared a new health emergency, continuing the mask mandate and other requirements, such as vaccination or testing for school employees, as well as a host of other rules that don’t directly affect education, but impact all of us as people who live and /or work in New Jersey.
* Watch the governor’s announcement: https://youtu.
* Read about the new health emergency: https://www.nj.com/
OTHER STUFF
* The Senate Education Committee heard from education advocates, including NJEA President Sean Spiller and member Kevin Parker about the difficulties of school this year: https://
* In other news, the State Board got its first look at statewide results from the Start Strong assessment: https://www.
* John Mooney at NJ Spotlight looks at the difficulties of school this year: https://www.
* The NJ DOH updated its quarantine guidelines to align with the CDC. These apply to schools, but not child care settings. The DOE just sent them out today: https://www.nj.gov/
BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW
* A1662/S1790 – Revises provisions required in school district’s anti-bullying policy; provides for civil liability of parent of minor adjudicated delinquent for cyber-harassment or harassment; and increases certain fines against parents. (Monitor) (P.L.2021, c.338)
* A2286/S1823 – Requires institutions of higher education to provide graduating students with information on income-contingent student loan repayment programs. (Monitor) (P.L.2021, c.357)
* A4838/S2811 – Requires school report card to include information concerning number of mental health professionals and school safety specialists employed by each school district.
* A5367/S3416 – Codifies same-sex marriage in the statutes. (Support) (P.L.2021, c.339)
* A5380/S3683 – Requires institutions of higher education to provide certain student loan information. (Monitor) (P.L.2021, c.349)
* A5727/S3726 – Ensures student well-being during school security drills. (Support) (P.L.2021, c.365)
VETOED
* A2300/S3129 – Requires apportionment of membership on certain regional district boards of education to be based on amount of district costs apportioned to each constituent municipality. (Monitor)
CONDITIONALLY VETOED
* A4434/S2716 – Establishes Student Wellness Grant Program in DOE (Support) (Passed in both houses to concur with Governor’s recommendations and sent to Governor)
* A5950/S4004 – Establishes database of certain appointed positions and elected offices. (Support) (Passed in both houses to concur with Governor’s recommendations and sent to Governor)
* A6000/S4074 – Allows alternative evaluation in place of basic skills testing requirements for certain teacher certification. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
RESULTS FROM JANUARY 3
* A3012/S2162 – Requires public schools, and nonpublic schools which receive federal funding, to provide students with information on rights afforded under Title IX, and provide contact information for Title IX coordinator. (Support) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly)
* A5576/S3685 – Permits teacher and professional staff member who provides special services retired from TPAF to return to employment for up to two years without reenrollment in TPAF if employment commences during 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years. (Monitor) (Reported out of committee with committee amendments, referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee)
* A6226 – Extends period of time for filing special education due process petitions related to COVID-19 school closures and periods of virtual, remote, hybrid, or in-person instruction. (Monitor) (Reported out of committee with committee amendments, referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee)
* A4698/S412 – Expands requirement of health insurers and Medicaid program to cover prescriptions for contraceptives for up to 12 months. (Monitor) (Reported out of committee with committee amendments, referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee)
* A5603/S991 – Requires owner or operator of certain trains to have discharge response, cleanup, and contingency plans to transport certain hazardous materials by rail; requires DEP to request bridge inspection reports from US DOT. (Support) (Reported out of committee with committee amendments, referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee)
RESULTS FROM JANUARY 6
* A2271 – Requires certain additional school district personnel to complete training program on suicide prevention. (Support) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly)
* A4698/S413 – Expands requirement of health insurers and Medicaid program to cover prescriptions for contraceptives for up to 12 months. (Monitor) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly)
* A5292/S2835 – Requires compilation of data and issuance of annual reports on New Jersey teacher workforce. (Support) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly)
* A5576/S3685 – Permits teacher and professional staff member who provides special services retired from TPAF to return to employment for up to two years without reenrollment in TPAF if employment commences during 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years. (Monitor) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly)
* A5603/S991 – Requires owner or operator of certain trains to have discharge response, cleanup, and contingency plans to transport certain hazardous materials by rail; requires DEP to request bridge inspection reports from US DOT. (Support) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly and Senate)
* A6258/S4309 – Awards school security project grants under “Securing Our Children’s Future Fund” for certain school districts; appropriates $5,150,531. (Monitor) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly)
* S49 – Codifies constitutional right to freedom of reproductive choice. (Support) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly and Senate)
* ACR223/SCR165 – Expresses approval of Legislature for a 45-day extension of certain administrative orders, directives, and waivers issued in response to COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. (Seek amendments) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly and Senate)
* A3007/S3127 – Requires institutions of higher education to provide students with access to mental health care programs and services and to establish a hotline to provide information concerning the availability of those services. (Support) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Senate)
* S4245 – Extends period of time for filing special education due process petitions related to COVID-19 school closures and periods of virtual, remote, hybrid, or in-person instruction. (Monitor) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Senate)
RESULTS FROM JANAUARY 10
* A2271 – Requires certain additional school district personnel to complete training program on suicide prevention. (Support) (Passed in Assembly)
* A3007/S3127 – Requires institutions of higher education to provide students with access to mental health care programs and services and to establish a hotline to provide information concerning the availability of those services. (Support) (Passed in Senate and sent to Governor)
* A3369/S3764 – Establishes Commission on Asian American Heritage in DOE. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* A3392/S1219 – Requires student representative be appointed to each board of education of school district and board of trustees of charter school that includes grades nine through 12. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* A4434 – Establishes Student Wellness Grant Program in DOE. (Support) (Passed in both houses to concur with Governor’s recommendations and sent to Governor)
* A4698/S413 – Expands requirement of health insurers and Medicaid program to cover prescriptions for contraceptives for up to 12 months. (Monitor) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* A4856/S3094 – Requires Internet websites and web services of school districts, charter schools, renaissance schools, and the Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf to be accessible to persons with disabilities. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* A5292/S2835 – Requires compilation of data and issuance of annual reports on New Jersey teacher workforce. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* A5576/S3685 – Permits teacher and professional staff member who provides special services retired from TPAF to return to employment for up to two years without reenrollment in TPAF if employment commences during 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years. (Monitor) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* A5814/ S3851 – Creates Office of School Bus Safety in Department of Education; appropriates $200,000. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* A5867/S4020 – Expands bonding authority of New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority to permit financing for general funding needs of New Jersey’s institutions of higher education. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* A6000/S4074 – Allows alternative evaluation in place of basic skills testing requirements for certain teacher certification. (Support) (Passed in both houses to concur with Governor’s recommendations and sent to Governor)
* A6207/S4222 – Eliminates requirement for DOE to set certain tuition rates for approved private schools for students with disabilities in certain cases. (Monitor) (Passed in Senate and sent to Governor)
* A6258/S4309 – Awards school security project grants under “Securing Our Children’s Future Fund” for certain school districts; appropriates $5,150,531. (Monitor) (Passed in both houses and sent to governor)
* A6260/S49 – Codifies constitutional right to freedom of reproductive choice. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* ACR223/SCR165 – Expresses approval of Legislature for a 45-day extension of certain administrative orders, directives, and waivers issued in response to COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. (Seek amendments) (Bill held)
* S49/A6260 – Codifies constitutional right to freedom of reproductive choice. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* S969 – Establishes loan redemption program for teachers in certain fields to redeem loan amounts received under New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students Loan Program through employment in certain low performing schools. (Support) (Passed in Assembly and sent to governor)
* S1020 – Requires school districts and charter schools to report discipline data on their websites and to Commissioner of Education; requires DOE to establish database and complete annual report concerning student disciplinary actions. (Support) (Passed in Senate and sent to Governor)
* S2160 – Creates special education unit within the Office of Administrative Law; requires annual report. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* S2830 – Requires educator preparation program to report passing rates of students who complete certain tests and to disseminate information on test fee waiver programs, and permits collection of student fee for certain testing costs. (Monitor) (Passed in Senate and sent to Governor)
* S3488 – Modifies certain procedures pertaining to school district regionalization; establishes grant program for cost reimbursement of conducting regionalization feasibility studies; and provides financial incentives for regionalization. (Support) (Passed in Assembly to concur with Governor’s recommendations and sent to Governor)
* S4004 – Establishes database of certain appointed positions and elected offices. (Support) (Passed in both houses to concur with Governor’s recommendations and sent to Governor)
* S4021 – Requires school districts to provide instruction on history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies. (Support) (Passed in Senate and sent to Governor)
* S4074 – Allows alternative evaluation in place of basic skills testing requirements for certain teacher certification. (Support) (Passed in both houses to concur with Governor’s recommendations and sent to Governor)
* S4203 – Eliminates requirement for State residency of public school employees for period of three years. (Support) (Passed in Senate)
* S4206 – Requires Department of Education to annually report use of federal COVID-19 relief funds. (Monitor) (Passed in Senate)
* S4245 – Extends period of time for filing special education due process petitions related to COVID-19 school closures and periods of virtual, remote, hybrid, or in-person instruction. (Monitor) (Passed in Senate)
WHEN IS THE LEGISLATURE MEETING AGAIN?
Only the Senate has released its calendar so far:
* Thursday, January 27 Senate Committees
* Monday, January 31 Senate Voting Session
* Thursday, February 3 Senate Committees
* Thursday, February 10 Senate Committees
* Thursday, February 17 Senate Committees
* Tuesday, February 22 Governor’s Budget Address
* Monday, February 28 Senate Committees
* Thursday, March 3 Senate Voting Session
* Monday, March 7 Senate Committees
* Thursday, March 10 Senate Committees
* Monday, March 14 Senate Committees
* Monday, March 21 Senate Voting Session
Questions, comments? Let me know! 🙂
[New Jersey Education Association]<https://www.njea.
Francine Pfeffer
Associate Director
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
180 W. State Street
Trenton, NJ 08607-1211
p: 609-599-4561 x 2326
c: 732-280-8324
f: 609-394-3355
fpfeffer@njea.org<mailto:fpfef
njea.org<https://www.njea.org> | vCard<https://dynasend.com/
[https://oos.njea.org/
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Legislative Update December 21, 2021

TAKE ACTION!
It is almost the end of the 219th legislative session. When we return in the new year, there are two scheduled committee days and one voting session before the new legislature takes its seats on January 11. So, before the new year, I’m asking you to take action on two bills we would like to see passed in this session.
* A-5011/S-3284 would give an accidental death benefit to family members of school and community college employees in TPAF or PERS who worked in-person and died from COVID-19 during the health emergency. We have been working with NJPSA to get this bill, which unanimously passed in the Senate, to make its way through the Assembly.
* S-4203 would eliminate the residency law for school employees for three years. The bill passed out of committee in the Senate, where Senator Ruiz is championing it, but has yet to be introduced in the Assembly.
So, what can you do?
* Call the office of Assembly Speaker Coughlin, (732) 855-7441. Ask him to move both bills in his house before the end of the session. When you call, give your name and tell them you are an educator and NJEA member. Here are suggested talking points:
* A-5011/S-3284, the accidental death benefit bill, is a matter of fairness. It will support the families of educators who served as essential employees and died from COVID-19 in service to their community. The legislature passed a similar bill for emergency responders and educators deserve the same treatment.
* S-4203, the residency bill, may help alleviate educator shortages in our schools. There is a shortage of educators across many areas – teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, cafeteria employees – which is hurting students. Allowing school districts to hire employees from out-of-state will expand the pool of potential employees, help schools operate during this difficult time, and ultimately help stu
* Ask at least three educator friends to do the same.
STATEHOUSE STAND, PART 2
Assembly Republicans did not engage in a standoff this time, but they did take a stand. You may recall from my last update that on December 2, the first voting session following a new vaccine or test mandate, a group of Assembly Republicans entered the Assembly chamber and wouldn’t leave, in defiance of the mandate. The standoff ended with the Assembly conducting a truncated voting session of approximately 10 bills. That left a whopping 118 bills to consider yesterday.
Six of those Republican members refused to either show proof of vaccination or get a rapid test (which was available to legislators right outside the statehouse) yesterday and could not enter the statehouse. Some of them joined the anti-vaccination rally outside the statehouse. As the voting session began at 1:15 pm, many seats were empty in the chamber with members of both parties voting remotely.
To protest the vaccination policy, the six Republicans, who were together at the Republican State Committee Office for the voting session, slowed it down by talking about every single bill until sometime around 11:00 pm. When the marriage equality vote happened at 11:15 pm, there were still over 20 bills on the agenda. The voting session concluded soon after midnight. By my count, the Assembly took action on 105 of the 118 bills on their list. I could editorialize about how awful it was, but who needs that? If you’re interested, Brent Johnson at nj.com has a full retelling. The only comment he didn’t recount that I really enjoyed was when Speaker Coughlin said to Assemblyman Peterson, “Please, go ahead and tell us how this bill affects you in Hunterdon County.” https://www.nj.com/
OTHER NEWS
* QUARANTINE CHANGES
Districts have been expressing concern about students quarantining and missing school. https://www.njspotlightnews.
* SAME SEX MARRIAGE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATURE
Both houses of the legislature approved a bill to codify same sex marriage in NJ. https://newjerseymonitor.com/
* RESIDENCY LAW
Please take action as noted above. A bill to suspend the residency law for school employees has begun to move in the Senate. https://newjerseymonitor.com/
RESULTS FROM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16
* A4789/S3123 – Establishes Safe and Equitable Remote Learning Program in DOE to support provision of mobile broadband Internet access service and remote learning safe havens by certain school districts. (Support) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Senate)
* A4808/S3086 – Establishes office in EDA to assist in provision and expansion of broadband Internet service in State to address inequities in accessing broadband service. (Support) (Bill removed from committee agenda)
* A4856/S3094 – Requires Internet websites and web services of school districts, charter schools, and renaissance schools to be accessible to persons with disabilities. (Support) (Reported out of committee with committee amendments, 2nd reading in Senate)
* A5814/S3851 – Creates School Bus Safety Ombudsman position in, but not of, Department of Education. (Support) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Senate)
* S372 – Requires firearm owners who become New Jersey residents to obtain firearm purchaser identification card and register firearms acquired out-of-State. (Support) (Reported out of committee with committee amendments, referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations)
* S3416 – Codifies same-sex marriage in the statutes. (Support) (Reported out of committee with committee amendments, 2nd reading in Senate)
* S3757 – “New Jersey Safe Storage of Firearms Act”; establishes certain requirements and penalties regarding firearm storage; repeals law governing minor’s access to firearm; requires AG to establish public awareness campaign regarding firearm storage; appropriates $500,000. (Support) (Bill removed from committee agenda)
* S3764 – Establishes Commission on Asian Heritage in DOE. (Support) (Reported out of committee with committee amendments, 2nd reading in Senate)
* S4203 – Eliminates requirement for State residency for public school employees. (Support) (Reported out of committee with committee amendments, 2nd reading in Senate)
* S4206 – Requires Department of Education to annually report use of federal COVID-19 relief funds. (Monitor) (Reported out of committee with committee amendments, 2nd reading in Senate)
* S4222 – Eliminates requirement for DOE to set certain tuition rates for approved private schools for students with disabilities in certain cases. (Monitor) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Senate)
* S4245 – Extends period of time for filing special education due process petitions related to COVID-19 school closures and periods of virtual, remote, hybrid, or in-person instruction. (Monitor) (Reported out of committee with committee amendments, 2nd reading in Senate)
RESULTS FROM MONDAY, DECEMBER 20
* A1184/ A4414/S1020 – Requires school districts and charter schools to report discipline data on their websites and to Commissioner of Education; requires DOE to establish database and complete annual report concerning student disciplinary actions. (Support) (Passed in the Assembly)
* A2300/ S3129 – Requires apportionment of membership on certain regional district boards of education to be based on amount of district costs apportioned to each constituent municipality. (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* A2455 – Establishes pilot program in DOE to support FIRST Robotics Programs in school districts. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor to concur with CV)
* A3686 – Requires firearm owners who become New Jersey residents to obtain firearm purchaser identification card and register firearms acquired out-of-State. (Support) (Passed in Assembly)
* A4168 – Provides for student recipients of educational opportunity funds to be exempt from 20 hour weekly work requirement ordinarily required for student SNAP participation. (Monitor) (Passed in Assembly)
* A4433 – Creates grant program to encourage school districts to partner with institutions of higher education in training school-based mental health services providers. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* A4434 – Establishes Student Wellness Grant Program in DOE. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* A4435 – Requires DCF to give priority to certain school districts with student mental health counseling centers in awarding grants under School Based Youth Services Program. (Monitor) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* A4838/S2811 – Requires school report card to include information concerning number of mental health professionals and school safety specialists employed by each school district. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* A5306/S3761 – Allows certain voters residing overseas to vote in certain elections in this State depending on overseas residency or intent to return. (Monitor) (Passed in Senate)
* A5367/S3416 – Codifies same-sex marriage in the statutes. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* A5727/S3726 – Ensures student well-being during school security drills. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* A5950/S4004 – Establishes database of certain appointed positions and elected offices. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* A6000/S4074 – Allows alternative evaluation in place of basic skills testing requirements for certain teacher certification. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor)
* A6001 – Provides for postponement of New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum review for certain school districts for 2021-2022 school year. (Support) (Passed in the Assembly)
* A6100/S4021 – Requires school districts to provide instruction on history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies. (Support) (Passed in Assembly)
* S108 – Concerns speech rights of student journalists at public schools and public institutions of higher education. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor to concur with CV)
* S1715 – Requires new flooring for schools and child care centers to be certified mercury free. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor to concur with CV))
* S2559 – Revises requirements for health insurance providers and Medicaid to cover services provided using telemedicine and telehealth; appropriates $5 million. (Monitor) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor to concur with CV)
* S2834 – Mandates training on culturally responsive teaching for all candidates for teaching certification. (Support) (Passed in both houses and sent to Governor to concur with CV)
* S3488 – Modifies certain procedures pertaining to school district regionalization; establishes grant program for cost reimbursement of conducting regionalization feasibility studies; and provides financial incentives for regionalization. (Support) (Passed in the Senate to concur with CV)
* S4069 – Removes Selective Service registration as requirement for eligibility under State student financial aid programs. (Monitor) (Passed in the Senate)
* S4077 – Requires DEP to develop and implement electric school bus program; provides for $15 million in first year and $15 million annually in subsequent two years to DEP, subject to availability, to provide grants. (Seek amendments) (Passed in the Senate)
* S969 – Establishes loan redemption program for teachers in certain fields to redeem loan amounts received under New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students Loan Program through employment in certain low performing schools. (Support) (Passed in the Senate to concur with CV)
WHEN WILL THE LEGISLATURE MEET AGAIN?
* Monday, January 3, Assembly Committees at Call of the Speaker
* Thursday, January 6, Assembly Committees at Call of the Speaker; Senate Committees
* Monday, January 10, Assembly and Senate Voting Sessions
* Tuesday, January 11, Reorganization of the legislature
Have a relaxing and safe break. See you next year!
[New Jersey Education Association]<https://www.njea.
Francine Pfeffer
Associate Director
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
180 W. State Street
Trenton, NJ 08607-1211
p: 609-599-4561 x 2326
c: 732-280-8324
f: 609-394-3355
fpfeffer@njea.org<mailto:fpfef
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Classroom Close-up, NJ <https://classroomcloseup.org/>
Legislative Update November 10,2021
Results From The Legislature June 24, 2021
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