New Jersey A 3975: Requires DCF and DOE to provide certain child abuse and neglect services or information remotely or through distance learning mechanisms.

Bill Text

A3975 

ASSEMBLY, No. 3975 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

� 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman KEVIN P. EGAN

District 17 (Middlesex and Somerset)

Assemblywoman� HEATHER SIMMONS

District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)

SYNOPSIS

���� Clarifies criminal history record check requirements 
for workers conducting construction or public works activities in school 
buildings; requires school district to update visitor policy.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT 

���� Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative 
Counsel.

�� 

An Act concerning criminal history record checks in the 
public schools, amending P.L.1998, c.31, amending and supplementing P.L.1986, 
c.116, and supplementing chapter 41 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

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

���� 1.��� Section 1 of P.L.1986, 
c.116 (C.18A:6-7.1) is amended to read as follows:

���� 1.��� A facility, center, 
school, or school system under the supervision of the Department of Education 
and board of education which cares for, or is involved in the education of 
children under the age of 18 shall not employ for pay or contract for the paid 
services of: any teaching staff member or substitute teacher, teacher 
aide, child study team member, school physician, school nurse, custodian, 
school maintenance worker, cafeteria worker, school law enforcement officer, 
school secretary or clerical worker, or any other person serving in a 
position which involves regular contact with pupils; or a general 
contractor, subcontractor, or any other worker conducting public works 
activities, including the employees of third-party contractors, who may conduct 
short-term or long-term work on school property when school is in session, 
unless the employer has first determined, consistent with the 
requirements and standards of [this 
act] P.L.1986, 
c.116 (C.18A:6-7.1 et seq.), that no criminal history record information 
exists on file in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Identification Division, 
or the State Bureau of Identification which would disqualify that individual 
from being employed or utilized in such capacity or position.� An individual 
employed by a board of education or a school bus contractor holding a contract 
with a board of education, in the capacity of a school bus driver, shall be 
required to meet the criminal history record requirements pursuant to section 6 
of P.L.1989, c.104 (C.18A:39-19.1).� A facility, center, school, or school 
system under the supervision of the Department of Education and board of 
education which cares for, or is involved in the education of children under 
the age of 18 may require criminal history record checks for individuals who, 
on an unpaid voluntary basis, provide services that involve regular contact 
with pupils.� In the case of school districts involved in a sending-receiving 
relationship, the decision to require criminal history record checks for 
volunteers shall be made jointly by the boards of education of the sending and 
receiving districts.

���� An individual, except as 
provided in subsection g. of this section, shall be permanently disqualified 
from employment or service under [this 
act] P.L.1986, 
c.116 (C.18A:6-7.1 et seq.), if the individual's criminal history record 
check reveals a record of conviction for any crime of the first or second 
degree; or

���� a.���� An offense as set forth 
in chapter 14 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, or as set forth in 
N.J.S.2C:24-4 and 2C:24-7, or as set forth in R.S.9:6-1 et seq., or as set 
forth in N.J.S.2C:29-2; or

���� b.��� An offense involving the 
manufacture, transportation, sale, possession, distribution or habitual use of 
a "controlled dangerous substance" as defined in the 
"Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 1987," N.J.S.2C:35-1 et al. or 
"drug paraphernalia" as defined pursuant to N.J.S.2C:36-1 et seq.; or

���� c. (1) A crime involving the 
use of force or the threat of force to or upon a person or property including, 
but not limited to, robbery, aggravated assault, stalking, kidnapping, arson, 
manslaughter and murder; or

���� (2)�� A crime as set forth in 
chapter 39 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, a third degree crime as set 
forth in chapter 20 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, or a crime as 
listed below:

���� Recklessly endangering another 
person���� N.J.S.2C:12-2

���� Terroristic 
threats������������������������������������� N.J.S.2C:12-3

���� Criminal 
restraint������������������������������������� N.J.S.2C:13-2

���� Luring, enticing child into 
motor

����������� vehicle, structure or 
isolated area����� P.L.1993, c.291 (C.2C:13-6)

���� Causing or risking widespread 
injury

����������� or 
damage�������������������������������������������� N.J.S.2C:17-2

���� Criminal 
mischief��������������������������������������� N.J.S.2C:17-3

���� Burglary�������������������������������