Current Legislation - Jan. 31, 2011

Dep Chemical Cleanouts in Schools:  S-569 (Bateman, Smith)  This legislation, which establishes a pilot program in DEP for chemical cleanouts in schools, was reported out of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.  The bill has been referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.  NJEA supports this legislation.

“ Safe Playing Fields Act”:  S-2610 (Turner)  This legislation, which restricts use of lawn care pesticides at certain child care centers, schools and recreational fields was reported out of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee with amendments.  The bill now moves to the Senate Budget & Appropriate Committee.  NJEA supports this legislation.

 Preparedness For Resonding To Sudden Cardiac Arrest:  SR-75 (Whelan, Ciesla)  This resolution, which urges boards of education to improve staff and student preparedness for responding to incidents of sudden cardiac arrest, was reported out of the Senate Education Committee.  The resolution now moves to the full Senate for consideration.  NJEA supports this legislation.

  Establishes Uniform School Bus Life of 15 Years: A-2260 (Diegnan, Wolfe, Lampitt)/S-1040 (Allen) has been released by the Senate Education Committee with amendments and has been referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.  The legislation is one of many recommendations made by the Commission on Business Efficiency of the Public Schools in its 2006 report “Finding the Road: Selected Issues in New Jersey Public transportation.”  The life of a school bus is a major issue facing school districts in regard to a balanced approach of public resources.  NJEA was pleased to have supported the commission’s findings.

Dating Violence Bill:  S-2114 (Ciesla, Bucco) was reported out of the Senate Education Committee with committee amendments and is now on second reading in the Senate.  This bill, part of a national movement against dating violence, requires the DOE to establish a task force to develop a policy to prevent and address dating violence.  The task force will recommend ways to incorporate age-appropriate dating violence education into the health education curriculum.  NJEA took no position on the bill.