Current Legislation - Sept. 30, 2010

“Zero Tolerance for Guns Act”:  S-2066 (Allen/Kean, T.)  This legislation, which requires school districts to report to DOE certain information on students removed from school pursuant to "Zero Tolerance for Guns Act," unanimously passed in the Senate and now moves to the Assembly for consideration.  NJEA supports this legislation.

Sick Leave Cap :  S-2220 (Sarlo) part of the Governor’s “toolkit” passed the Senate (34-0) and has been referred to the Assembly for consideration.  While NJEA achieved a series of favorable amendments, we still oppose the bill.  The legislation would limit unused sick leave pay and vacation leave at $15,000 at the expiration of current contracts.  The bill was amended by NJEA in a number of areas, but most importantly would allow current members to keep all of their accumulated sick leave.

Expanding School Bus Driver Criminal Records Check:   S-1835 (Bateman) This legislation expands type of school bus driver required to undergo a criminal background check process.  It passed the Senate (37-0) and now moves to the Assembly Education Committee for consideration.  NJEA supported the legislation which will close the current loophole that excludes private drivers and requires the Motor Vehicle Commission and the Department of Education maintain comparative data files.

Fire Safety for Colleges:  A-1570 (Scalera, Chivukula) The bill passed the Assembly 74-0-6 on September 30, 2010 and has been referred to the Senate Education Committee.  NJEA supported this bill which requires every public and independent institution of higher education within the State to disseminate fire safety information about their facilities to students and to all employees upon initial employment.  The information must include, but is not limited to, information on sprinkler systems, evacuation plans and other fire safety measures.

Advertising on Exterior of Buses:  A-1637 (Wagner, Rudder, Voss, Addiego) This legislation, which permits boards of education to contract for the sale of advertising space on the exterior of school buses, passed the Assembly in a 75-0-0 vote.  Advertisements for tobacco or alcohol products or for political advocacy will be prohibited, in addition to any other advertisements that the Commissioner of Education deems inappropriate.   The Senate version of the bill, S-2309, was referred to the Senate Education Committee and awaits action.  NJEA took no position on the legislation.