Current Legislation - March 12, 2012

AMENDING ANTI-BULLYING RIGTS ACT OF 2010:  A-2709 (Vaineri-Huttle, Angelini)  NJEA supported this legislation that amends the "Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act," and appropriates $1 million to a Bullying Prevention Fund.  NJEA supported the Anti-Bullying Act of 2010, but at the time, expressed concerns that the state had not committed to invest the resources needed to make the program effective.  This legislation takes a step in the right direction toward addressing this concern.  The bill also establishes a seven-member Anti-Bullying Task Force in but not of the Department of Education which will provide guidance to school districts on available resources to assist in the implementation of the “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act,” and draft model regulations and submit them to the Commissioner of Education for use in implementing the provisions of the act.  This bill is now on second reading in the Assembly. 

STATE INVESTMENT COUNCIL ETHICS:    A-1066 (DeCroce, Chiusano, Barnes, Burzichelli).  This legislation forbids members of the State Investment Council from voting on transactions concerning investment with which a member has certain financial or familial conflicts and requires removal for violations thereof.  The bill passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee and is now on second reading in the Assembly.    NJEA supported the bill.