SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1239

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 5, 2024

     The Senate Education Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 1239.

     This bill requires that a criminal history records check be conducted on any person who serves as an official for an interscholastic athletics meet, game, or tournament sanctioned by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).  Under the bill’s provisions, the association is to request the check through the Commissioner of Education.  A prospective or current official is required to submit their name, address, and fingerprints to the NJSIAA which will then forward this documentation to the commissioner.  The bill authorizes the commissioner to exchange fingerprint data with, and receive criminal history record information from, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the State Bureau of Identification in the Division of State Police.

     In conducting the check, the State Bureau of Identification is to examine its own files and arrange for a similar examination by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Identification Division.  A prospective or current official is to be disqualified from serving as an official for any interscholastic athletic events sanctioned by the NJSIAA if the person’s criminal history record information reveals a record of conviction for a disqualifying crime or offense.  The bill incorporates by reference the list of disqualifying crimes and offenses, which are identical to those applicable to prospective school employees.

     Following qualification to serve as an official, the State Bureau of Identification is to immediately forward to the commissioner any information which the bureau receives on a charge pending against the official. If the charge is for a disqualifying crime or offense, the commissioner is to notify the NJSIAA, and the association is to take appropriate action.  If the pending charge results in conviction, the person is to be disqualified from continuing to serve as an official. 

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.