Bill Text: NJ S3330 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Requires school districts to provide instruction on grief as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-1)

Status: (Passed) 2024-01-04 - Approved P.L.2023, c.201. [S3330 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2022-S3330-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 3330

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

220th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED NOVEMBER 14, 2022

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  JON M. BRAMNICK

District 21 (Morris, Somerset and Union)

Senator  JOSEPH P. CRYAN

District 20 (Union)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Senator Codey

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Requires school districts to provide instruction on grief as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Senate Education Committee on February 23, 2023, with amendments.

  

An Act concerning the provision of grief instruction in public schools 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.  ¹The State Board of Education shall adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education pertaining to grief.

     b.¹  A school district shall include instruction on grief in an appropriate place in the curriculum of students in grades eight through 12 as part of the district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

     ¹[b.] c.¹  The instruction shall include, at a minimum, information on:

     (1)  the physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms of grief;

     (2)  coping mechanisms and techniques for handling grief and loss; and

     (3)  resources available to students, including in-school support, mental health crisis support, and individual and group therapy.

     ¹[c.] d.¹  The Commissioner of Education shall provide school districts with age-appropriate ¹[sample learning activities and]¹ resources ¹[designed to implement the requirement established pursuant to subsection a. of this section] concerning grief¹.

 

     2. This act shall take effect immediately ¹[and shall first apply to the first full school year following the date of enactment].  The standards adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to section 1 of P.L.    , c.    (C.    ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) shall occur concurrent with each update to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards required pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2007, c.260 (C.18A:7F-46).¹