New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill S2779

Introduced
6/2/22  

Caption

Requires that in-service training for school employees on safety and security include component on behavioral threat assessment.

Impact

The implementation of SB S2779 will require each school district to create and maintain these behavioral threat assessment teams, significantly impacting existing training regulations under the State Board of Education. The legislation seeks to standardize safety protocols across schools, promoting a more vigilant and resourceful environment for identifying and mitigating potential threats. By necessitating collaboration among various school personnel, including psychologists, counselors, teachers, and law enforcement liaisons, the bill creates a structured approach for addressing safety concerns holistically.

Summary

Senate Bill S2779 aims to enhance school safety in New Jersey by requiring that in-service training programs for school district employees include a component focused on forming behavioral threat assessment teams within each district. The primary goal of these teams is to identify students who may pose a potential safety risk and to prevent instances of targeted violence. The bill mandates that training for these teams encompass essential skills such as recognizing potential threats and assessing circumstances that might indicate a risk of violence, thereby establishing a proactive approach to school safety management.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support as a necessary measure to bolster school safety, some critics might argue about the implications of enforcing such assessments, particularly concerning the privacy and rights of students. Concerns could be raised regarding how the assessments are conducted and what criteria are used to identify students as potential threats. Furthermore, the need for effective training and clear guidelines will be crucial to ensure that the implementation does not inadvertently lead to stigmatization or unnecessary disciplinary actions against students merely based on subjective assessments.

Companion Bills

NJ A3229

Same As Requires that in-service training for school employees on safety and security include component on behavioral threat assessment.

Previously Filed As

NJ S2523

Requires that in-service training for school employees on safety and security include component on behavioral threat assessment.

NJ SB930

In student supports, further providing for definitions; in school safety and security, further prov iding for definitions, for School Safety and Security Committee, for school safety and security assessment providers, for School Safety and Security Grant Program, for school safety and security coordinator, for school safety and security training and for reporting and memorandum of understanding; in school security, further providing for training, for school resource officers, for school security guards and for duties of commission; in Safe2Say Program, further providing for intent, for definitions, for Safe2Say Program and for annual report; in threat assessment, further providing for definitions, for threat assessment teams and for threat assessment guidelines, training and information materials; and making editorial changes.

NJ S2525

Requires Police Training Commission to adopt training course on school emergency response.

NJ S2524

Requires Commissioner of Education to review school safety and security plans.

NJ S05294

Requires hospitals to establish a violence prevention program which includes a workplace safety and security assessment and develop a safety and security plan that addresses identified workplace violence threats or hazards.

NJ A00203

Requires hospitals to establish a violence prevention program which includes a workplace safety and security assessment and develop a safety and security plan that addresses identified workplace violence threats or hazards.

NJ HB4193

Relating to measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including certain training for school district personnel and parents of certain students.

NJ A5041

Requires all students enrolled in grades six through 12 to have certain physical examination that includes cardiac component.

NJ S151

Requires all students enrolled in grades six through 12 to have certain physical examination that includes cardiac component.

NJ HB4548

Relating to assessment and reporting requirements regarding safety and security in public schools.

Similar Bills

IA HF2707

A bill for an act relating to alignment of delivery of health and human services programs and services, aging and disability services, and volunteer services, and including applicability and effective date provisions. (Formerly HSB 622.) Effective date: 04/30/2026, 07/01/2026.

IA SF2338

A bill for an act relating to alignment of delivery of health and human services programs and services, aging and disability services, and volunteer services, and including applicability and effective date provisions.(Formerly SSB 3082.)

IA SSB3082

A bill for an act relating to alignment of delivery of health and human services programs and services, aging and disability services, and volunteer services, and including applicability and effective date provisions.(See SF 2338.)

IA HSB622

A bill for an act relating to alignment of delivery of health and human services programs and services, aging and disability services, and volunteer services, and including applicability and effective date provisions.(See HF 2707.)

DE HCR65

This Concurrent Resolution Commends Jaclyn Durant, The 2025 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional Of The Year, And All The District/charter Network Behavioral Health Professionals Of The Year.

WA HB1634

Providing school districts and public schools with assistance to coordinate comprehensive behavioral health supports for students.

DC PR26-0108

Sense of the Council on Supporting Humane and Trauma-Informed Responses to Behavioral Health Crises Resolution of 2025

MI SB0470

Education: safety; behavioral threat assessment and management program; require department to create and implement. Amends title of 2018 PA 548 (MCL 28.801 - 28.809) & adds sec. 4. TIE BAR WITH: SB 471'25