SR95

A Senate Resolution urging the Department of Education to identify and evaluate cleaning products, methods, and devices that can be used to address the transmission of COVID-19 in school buildings.

Whereas, The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted the lives of all New Jersey residents, including students and their families; and

Whereas, Following the outbreak of COVID-19 in New Jersey, the Governor declared a state of emergency and a public health emergency under Executive Order No. 103 and under Executive Order No. 104 ordered the closure of all public, private, and parochial schools in the State, with students completing the 2019-2020 school year remotely; and

Whereas, There have been over 197,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and over 16,000 deaths attributable to COVID-19 in New Jersey; and

Whereas, New Jersey residents have worked hard to “flatten the curve” and reduce COVID-19 transmission rates across the State by practicing social distancing, wearing protective face coverings, and following recommended health protocols; and

Whereas, As the State has successfully lowered the transmission rate, the Department of Education (DOE) issued guidance for the reopening of schools for the 2020-2021 school year; and

Whereas, The department’s guidance, “The Road Back: Restart and Recovery Plan for Education,” directed that schools provide some capacity for in-person instruction; and

Whereas, As schools reopen and students and families begin to interact in person with school staff and other students and parents, it is imperative that they follow the guidelines established by the DOE and the advice of health experts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our schools and the community at large; and

Whereas, Keeping school buildings thoroughly cleaned and sanitized is one way school districts can help protect students and families from possible exposure to COVID-19; and

Whereas, The DOE can play an important role in this effort by identifying cleaning products, methods, and devices that may be available to sanitize school facilities, evaluating their effectiveness, and making this information available to school districts; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Department of Education is urged to immediately identify and evaluate cleaning products, methods, and devices which are approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency for use in school buildings to limit the transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) including, but not limited to, ultraviolet-C lights, air filtration systems, and medical washers and upon the completion of that evaluation, to compile and release a list of those products, methods, and devices which the department determines would be effective and safe for use in school buildings.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Commissioner of Education.

STATEMENT

This Senate resolution urges the Department of Education (DOE) to identify and evaluate cleaning products, methods, and devices which are approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency for use in school buildings for the purpose of addressing the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Upon the completion of its evaluation, the department is urged to release to school districts a list of those products, methods, and devices that it determines to be effective and safe.

With the arrival of COVID-19 in New Jersey, the Governor declared a state of emergency and a public health emergency under Executive Order No. 103. Under Executive Order No. 104 the Governor ordered the closure of all public, private, and parochial schools, and students completed the 2019-2020 school year with a program of remote instruction.

As the State was able to flatten the curve of disease infection and lower the rate of transmission, the DOE issued guidelines for the reopening of schools for the 2020-2021 school year. Under those guidelines, schools are directed to provide some capacity for in-person instruction. As school district staff and students and their families resume some level of direct contact, it is imperative that school districts take all possible steps to limit the transmission of COVID-19. In addition to the guidelines established by the DOE and the public health measures recommended by public health experts, such as social distancing and face coverings, the cleaning and sanitizing of school facilities will be a critical component of those efforts. The DOE can play an important role to assist schools by evaluating and recommending to districts those sanitizing products, methods, and devices that it deems safe and effective.