Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ALEX SAUICKIE
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Requires instruction on lightning safety as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning lightning safety instruction in the public school curriculum and supplementing chapter 35 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Each school district shall incorporate age-appropriate instruction on lightning safety into the health education curriculum for students in grades kindergarten through 12 as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.
b. The instruction shall provide students with information on:
(1) indoor and outdoor lightning safety tips;
(2) what to do if someone is struck by lightning;
(3) common misconceptions about lightning; and
(4) any severe weather policy established by the school district.
c. The curriculum may incorporate engaging learning activities, brochures, and toolkits established by the National Weather Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall first apply to the first full school year next following the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill requires a school district to incorporate age-appropriate instruction on lightning safety into the health education curriculum for students in grades kindergarten through 12 as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.
Under the bill, the instruction is required to provide students with information on: indoor and outdoor lightning safety tips; what to do if someone is struck by lightning; common misconceptions about lightning; and any severe weather policy established by the school district.
The bill permits the curriculum to incorporate engaging learning activities, brochures, and toolkits established by the National Weather Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
This bill is in response to the tragic lightning strike which occurred at an archery range in Jackson Township on July 16th, 2025 claiming the life of Robert Montgomery and injuring more than a dozen others, including local Boy Scouts and the tragic lightning strike which occurred at a golf course in Hardyston on July 8th, 2025 claiming the life of Simon John Mariani.