S4538

An Act concerning bullying prevention, amending P.L.2010, c.122, and supplementing P.L.2002, c.83 (C.18A:37-13 et seq.).

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. Section 25 of P.L.2010, c.122 (18A:37-28) is amended to read as follows:

25. There is created a special fund in the Department of Education, which shall be designated the "Bullying Prevention Fund." The fund shall be maintained in a separate account and administered by the commissioner to carry out the provisions of [this act] the “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act,” P.L.2002, c.83 (C.18A:37-et seq.), and any amendments and supplements thereto. The fund shall consist of: (1) any monies appropriated by the State for the purposes of the fund; (2) any monies donated for the purposes of the fund; and (3) all interest and investment earnings received on monies in the fund. The fund shall be used to offer grants to school districts to provide training on harassment, intimidation, and bullying prevention and on the effective creation of positive school climates, and to help fund related personnel expenses.

(cf: P.L.2012, c.1, s.3)

2. (New section) a. A school district that includes any of the grades four through 12 shall annually hold a multi-day program to provide students with age-appropriate educational sessions focused on bullying prevention and intervention.

b. The program shall take place over three to five days and shall provide informational sessions concerning:

(1) comprehensive bullying awareness, including the types of behaviors that constitute bullying and the short- and long-term effects of bullying on individuals and communities;

(2) cyberbullying prevention, including the responsible use of technology, recognizing online harassment, and reporting mechanisms;

(3) bystander intervention and conflict resolution to equip students with the skills to safely intervene as bystanders and resolve conflicts constructively;

(4) the role of empathy and inclusivity in preventing bullying;

(5) the creation of supportive peer relationships; and

(6) any other information the district deems necessary.

c. A school district shall ensure all students attend each educational session appropriate for the student’s age and grade level.

d. A school district shall provide, as part of the multi-day program held pursuant to subsection a. of this section, educational sessions for school staff focused on bullying prevention and intervention. The sessions shall ensure a collaborative approach to bullying prevention within the school community. The educational sessions provided pursuant to this section may be utilized to satisfy the training required pursuant to section 5 of P.L.2002, c.83 (C.18A:37-17).

e. A school district may contract with a third-party organization that is recognized as having expertise in bullying prevention and intervention to facilitate the district’s development and administration of the program required pursuant to subsection a. of this section.

f. The Commissioner of Education is authorized to withhold all or part of a school district’s State aid for failure to comply with the provisions of this section.

3. (New section) In the event that the resources necessary to develop and administer the multi-day program required pursuant to section 2 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) are not available within the school district, the district may apply to the Department of Education for a grant from the “Bullying Prevention Fund” established pursuant to section 25 of P.L.2010, c122 (C.18A:37-28) to support the implementation of the multi-day program.

4. This act shall take effect immediately and shall first apply to the first full school year following the date of enactment.

STATEMENT

This bill requires a school district that includes any of the grades four through 12 to annually hold a multi-day program to provide students with age-appropriate educational sessions focused on bullying prevention and intervention. The program is to take place over three to five days and is to provide informational sessions on certain listed topics related to bullying prevention and intervention. All students are required to attend each educational session appropriate for the student’s age and grade level. The district is also required to provide educational sessions for school staff focused on bullying prevention and intervention as part of the multi-day program.

The bill permits a district to contract with a third-party organization that is recognized as having expertise in bullying prevention and intervention to facilitate the district’s development and administration of the program.

The bill permits the Commissioner of Education to withhold all or part of a school district’s State aid for failure to comply with the provisions of the bill.

Under the bill, in the event that the resources necessary to develop and administer the program are not available within the district, the district is permitted to apply to the Department of Education for a grant from the “Bullying Prevention Fund.”