SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 311

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 13, 2020

     The Senate Education Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 311 with committee amendments.

     As amended, this bill provides that a student cannot be denied admittance to a public school due to tardiness.  The bill also provides that a student cannot be denied admittance to a public school due to a violation of a school uniform policy or dress code policy, except in the case of a violation of section 2 of P.L.1996, c.93 (C. 18A:11-9).  That section of law allows a board of education to adopt a dress code policy that prohibits students from wearing clothing, apparel, or accessories indicating membership in, or affiliation with, any gang associated with criminal activities.

     The committee amended the bill to clarify that the provisions of the bill pertaining to dress codes and school uniform policies apply to all public schools, including charter schools.

     This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.