Bill Text: NJ A3440 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires institutions of higher education to provide alternative arrangements to students unable to complete certain assignments by regular due date or register for courses because of day of religious observance.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-10-29 - Substituted by S2397 [A3440 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-A3440-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman GARY S. SCHAER
District 36 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Requires institutions of higher education to provide alternative arrangements to students unable to complete certain assignments by regular due date or register for courses because of day of religious observance.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning religious accommodations for students attending institutions of higher education and amending P.L.2008, c.10.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.2008, c.10 (C.18A:3B-37) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. An institution of higher education shall provide any student who, for reason of a religious observance, cannot attend a test or examination at its regular administration with an alternative opportunity to take an equivalent test or examination. The alternative opportunity shall be offered as soon after or before the regular administration of the test as is possible, and at comparable times, places, and costs. The institution may request that the student provide a written explanation of the religious conflict signed by a clergyman of the student's place of worship.
b. An institution of higher education shall provide any student who, for reason of a religious observance, cannot attend class on a day when any type of assignment is due including, but not limited to, papers, presentations, or group assignments, with an alternative opportunity to complete the assignment. The alternative opportunity shall be offered as soon after or before the regular due date of the assignment as is possible, and at comparable times, places, and costs. The institution may request that the student provide a written explanation of the religious conflict signed by a clergyman of the student's place of worship. The institution shall not impose any type of penalty on a student who is unable to attend class for reason of a religious observance.
c. An institution of higher education shall provide any student who, for reason of a religious observance, is unable to register for courses on a day when students are eligible to participate in course registration with an alternative opportunity to register for courses. The alternative opportunity shall be offered as soon after or before the regular date of course registration as is possible, and at comparable times, places, and costs. The institution may request that the student provide a written explanation of the religious conflict signed by a clergyman of the student's place of worship.
(cf: P.L.2008, c.10, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
Under current law, institutions of higher education are required to provide any student who, for reason of a religious observance, cannot attend a test or examination at its regular administration with an alternative opportunity to take an equivalent test or examination. This bill amends that law to also require that an institution provide a student who, for reason of a religious observance, cannot attend class on a day when any type of assignment is due, including papers, presentations, or group assignments, or who is unable to register for courses on a day when students are eligible to participate in course registration, with an alternative opportunity to complete the assignment or register for courses. The institution is not permitted to impose any type of penalty on a student who is unable to attend class for reason of a religious observance.
Under the bill, the institution may request that the student provide a written explanation of the religious conflict signed by a clergyman of the student's place of worship.
