Current Legislation - June 18, 2012

JANET’S LAW:  A-1608 (Bramnick)/S-157 (Singer, Vitale)  “Janet’s Law,” in memory of Janet Zilinski, an 11-year old who died of sudden cardiac arrest following a cheerleading squad practice, requires that public school districts and non-public schools ensure that an automated external defibrillator (AED) is readily available and within reasonable proximity of school-sponsored athletic events or team practices.  The bill stipulates that a team coach or other designated staff member trained in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an AED be present. NJEA supported the bill, which was reported out of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and is now on second reading in the Senate.

BUILDING OUR FUTURE BOND ACT:  S-2500 (Sweeney, Kean) was released from the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and is now on second reading in the Senate.  NJEA supported this bill which is a major bond referendum for institutions of higher education, the first since 1988.  The bill requires public research universities and state colleges and universities, county college and independent institutions of higher education which receive capital project grants to provide institutional funds in an amount to support 25% of the cost of the project.  The bonding money will be used for various projects throughout the state and will total $750,000,000.

TEACHER EFFECTIVENESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE CHILDREN OF NJ:  S-1455 (Ruiz) NJEA supported this amended bill, which would increase the length of time to receive tenure, change the evaluation system, and send tenure cases to an arbitrator.  NJEA worked closely with Senator Ruiz on this bill to make remove several provisions, including the elimination of seniority, mutual consent, and a process that would allow a principal to remove an employee’s tenure yet keep the individual employed.  The bill was reported out of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and is on second reading in the Senate.