Bill Text: NJ A1517 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Requires school districts to provide anti-bias instruction as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies; requires school districts to designate chief equity officer or affirmative action officer.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-12-11 - Reported out of Asm. Comm. with Amendments, and Referred to Assembly Education Committee [A1517 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2022-A1517-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 1517

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

220th LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2022 SESSION

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT

District 31 (Hudson)

Assemblywoman  SHANIQUE SPEIGHT

District 29 (Essex)

Assemblyman  DANIEL R. BENSON

District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywomen Murphy and Reynolds-Jackson

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

      Requires school districts to provide anti-bias instruction as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies; requires school districts to designate chief equity officer or affirmative action officer.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Assembly Community Development and Affairs Committee on December 11, 2023, with amendments.

  

An Act concerning ¹school district diversity initiatives, including¹ anti-bias instruction ¹[in school districts] and affirmative action,¹ and supplementing chapter 35 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

 

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

 

      1.  a.  ¹[Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, each school district shall incorporate] During the next scheduled update to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies following the date of enactment of P.L.    , c.    (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), as conducted pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2007, c.270 (C.18A:7F-46), the State Board of Education shall review and update the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies to ensure the incorporation of¹ age-appropriate anti-bias instruction ¹[into] in¹ the curriculum for students in grades kindergarten through 12 ¹[as part of the district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education]¹.

      b.  The instruction shall:

      (1) review various dimensions of personal and cultural identity;

      (2) highlight and promote diversity, equity, inclusion, tolerance and belonging on topics including: gender and sexual orientation; race and ethnicity; disabilities; and religious tolerance;

      (3) provide information on how people form implicit and unconscious biases;

      (4) provide opportunities for students to learn from and about one another and explore ways to address bias and prejudice; and

      (5) encourage safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments for all students regardless of race or ethnicity, sexual and gender identities, mental and physical disabilities, and religious beliefs.

      c.  The Commissioner of Education shall provide school districts with sample learning activities and resources designed to promote anti-bias instruction.

 

      2.  a.  As used in this section, "school district" shall include a charter school and a renaissance school project.

      b.  The superintendent in each school district shall designate a school administrator or a school employee to serve as a chief equity officer ¹or affirmative action officer¹ for the district.  The chief equity officer ¹or affirmative action officer, as applicable,¹ shall be responsible for:

      (1)  identifying disparities in access to school programs and services across student groups;

      (2)  supervising and overseeing all school district policies and procedures designed to encourage safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments for all students regardless of race or ethnicity, sexual and gender identities, mental and physical disabilities, and religious beliefs; and

      (3)  ensuring that the school district policies and procedures relating to equity ¹[and] ,¹ inclusion ¹, and affirmative action¹ are in compliance with State law and regulations.

 

     3.    This act shall take effect immediately.