ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4461

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  AUGUST 10, 2020

      The Assembly Education Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4461 with committee amendments.

     As amended, this bill requires the State to award a contract for the purchase of COVID-19 related goods and services by school districts, charter schools, and renaissance schools.  The goods and services would include medical supplies and devices, among other goods and services as specified by the Commissioner of Education, that aid in meeting the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  The State may award contracts to more than one bidder to fill the necessary demand for COVID-19 related goods and services. 

     School districts, charter schools, and renaissance schools throughout the State would then be permitted to purchase the goods and services under the contract.  Under the bill, the Commissioner of Education would be required to coordinate the purchase of goods and services by the school districts, charter schools, and renaissance schools. 

     This bill would expire on July 1, 2022.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

· clarify that charter schools and renaissance schools are included in the bill’s definitions of “board of education” and “school district”; and

· make a technical correction by eliminating the reference to “Commission on Higher Education” and inserting reference to the “Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.”