STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman WILLIAM B. SAMPSON, IV
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Extends limitations on expulsions and suspensions for young students to students in grade three.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning expulsions and suspensions for young students and amending P.L.2016, c.45.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.2016, c.45 (C.18A:37-2a) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.18A:37-2 or any other provision of law to the contrary, a student who is enrolled in grades kindergarten through [two] three in a school district or charter school shall not be expelled from school, except as provided pursuant to the "Zero Tolerance for Guns Act," P.L.1995, c.127 (C.18A:37-7 et seq.).
b. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.18A:37-2 or any other provision of law to the contrary, a student who is enrolled in grades kindergarten through [two] three in a school district or charter school shall not receive an out-of-school suspension, except when the suspension is based on conduct that is of a violent or sexual nature that endangers others.
c. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.18A:37-2 or any other provision of law to the contrary, a student who is enrolled in preschool in a school district or charter school shall not be suspended, and shall not be expelled from school, except as provided pursuant to the "Zero Tolerance for Guns Act," P.L.1995, c.127 (C.18A:37-7 et seq.).
(cf: P.L.2016, c.45, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
Current law places limits on expulsions and suspensions for students enrolled in preschool through second grade in a school district or charter school. This bill extends those limits to students enrolled in third grade in a school district or charter school.
Under the bill, students in kindergarten through third grade may not be expelled from school, except as provided pursuant to the “Zero Tolerance for Guns Act,” P.L.1995, c.127 (C.18A:37-7 et seq.). The bill also prohibits out-of-school suspensions for students in kindergarten through third grade, except when the suspension is based on conduct that is of a violent or sexual nature that endangers others.