ASSEMBLY, No. 5303

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

220th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED MARCH 16, 2023

 


 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  EDWARD H. THOMSON

District 30 (Monmouth and Ocean)

Assemblyman  SEAN T. KEAN

District 30 (Monmouth and Ocean)

Assemblyman  CHRISTIAN E. BARRANCO

District 26 (Essex, Morris and Passaic)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Permits public and nonpublic schools to utilize security categorical aid to hire school security personnel.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  


An Act concerning security categorical aid, amending P.L.2016, c.49, and supplementing chapter 41 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    Section 3 of P.L.2016, c.49 (C.18A:58-37.10) is amended to read as follows:

     3.    A board of education of a school district in which a nonpublic school is located shall within the limit of funds appropriated or otherwise made available, adopt policies and procedures to provide the students who are enrolled full-time in the nonpublic school with security services, equipment, or technology to help ensure a safe and secure school environment.  School security services may include the hiring of school security personnel.

(cf: P.L.2016, c.49, s.3)

 

     2.    (New section) A board of education may utilize security categorical aid received pursuant to section 14 of P.L.2007, c.260 (C.18A:7F-56) to hire school security personnel.

 

     3.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill would permit a board of education to utilize security categorical aid to hire school security personnel.  Under the bill, school security services that are provided to a nonpublic school under the provisions of the “Secure Schools for All Children Act” would include the hiring of school security personnel.

     Under the “School Funding Reform Act of 2008,” school districts throughout the State receive a category of funding identified as security categorical aid.  This bill would permit a board of education to utilize security categorical aid to hire school security personnel.

     Under the “Secure Schools for All Children Act,” a board of education is required to adopt policies and procedures to provide students enrolled full-time in a nonpublic school within the district with security services, equipment, or technology to help ensure a safe and secure school environment.  Current Department of Education Guidance concerning the “Secure Schools for All Children Act” includes the hiring of security guards as acceptable security service expenditures.  This bill amends the “Secure Schools for all Children Act” to specify that school security services may include hiring of school security personnel.