Legislative Update - June 14, 2010

A-1019 (Spencer, Caputo) was released by the Assembly Education Committee and is now ready for a full floor vote. The legislation calls for all school district volunteers to receive a criminal background check. NJEA supported the bill but raised concerns about asking volunteers to pay for background checks when those costs may be burdensome. The bill was favorably amended to better define volunteers, those with direct student contact and those who have none. Guidelines are to be developed by Commissioner of Education.

SCR-108 (Lesniak, Vitale) a resolution that urges the Governor not to join any lawsuit against the federal health care act, was heard in the Senate Health and Human Services committee. Numerous individuals affiliated with the Americans for Prosperity testified against the resolution. NJEA monitored the resolution, which was voted out of committee 6-3 and will now be considered by the full Senate.