SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
SENATE, No. 293
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: MAY 23, 2016
The Senate Education Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 293.
This bill prohibits the use of smokeless tobacco in any area of any building of, or on the grounds of, any public school. The bill requires the board of education of each school district to ensure the placement, in every public entrance to a public school building in its district, of a sign indicating that the use of smokeless tobacco is prohibited in the school. The penalties for using smokeless tobacco in violation of this bill would be a fine of not less than $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense, and $1,000 for each subsequent offense. However, these fines would not be applicable to a student who violates the bill’s provisions. In the case of such a student, he or she will be prohibited by the board of education of the district from participation in all extracurricular activities, including interscholastic athletics, and the revocation of any student parking permit that the student may possess. A board of education is required to adopt a policy that establishes the length of the suspension or revocation imposed on a student for an initial or subsequent violation.
Under the bill, in the event that the local board of health, or a similar entity, receives a written complaint, or has reason to suspect, that a public school is in violation of the bill’s provisions, then the board of health will provide written notification to the board of education and order that appropriate action be taken. The board of education would be subject to a fine in the event that it fails to comply with the order. The fine would be not less than $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense, and $1,000 for each subsequent offense.
This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2016-2017 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.