Bill Text: NJ S379 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Prohibits public schools from denying admittance to student due to tardiness or violation of dress code or school uniform policy.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-01-11 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee [S379 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-S379-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
220th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2022 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator RONALD L. RICE
District 28 (Essex)
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits public schools from denying admittance to student due to tardiness or violation of dress code or school uniform policy.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning school disciplinary actions, amending P.L.1996, c.93, and supplementing chapter 11 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 2 of P.L.1996, c.93 (C.18A:11-8) is amended to read as follows:
2. a. A board of education or a board of trustees of a charter school may adopt a dress code policy to require that students wear a school uniform if the policy is requested by the principal, staff and parents of an individual school and if the board determines that the policy will enhance the school learning environment. Any policy adopted which requires the wearing of a uniform shall include a provision to assist economically disadvantaged students. The board shall hold a public hearing prior to the adoption of the policy and shall not implement the policy with less than three months' notice to the parents or guardians of the students. The specific uniform selected shall be determined by the principal, staff, and parents of the individual school.
b. The board of education or board of trustees of a charter school may provide a method whereby parents may choose not to comply with an adopted school uniform policy. If the board provides such a method, a student shall not be penalized academically or otherwise discriminated against [nor denied admittance to school] if the student's parents choose not to comply with the school uniform policy.
c. A dress code policy adopted pursuant to this section shall not preclude students who participate in a nationally recognized youth organization which is approved by the board of education from wearing organization uniforms to school on days that the organization has scheduled a meeting.
(cf: P.L.1996, c.93, s.2)
2. Section 3 of P.L.1996, c.93 (C.18A:11-9) is amended to read as follows:
3. a. A board of education or board of trustees of a charter school may adopt a dress code policy to prohibit students from wearing, while on school property, any type of clothing, apparel or accessory which :
(1) indicates that the student has membership in, or affiliation with, any gang associated with criminal activities ; or
(2) displays hate speech, including the symbols or slogans of hate groups.
b. The local law enforcement agency shall advise the board upon its request, of gangs which are associated with criminal activities and of the common symbols and slogans of hate groups.
(cf: P.L.1996, c.93, s.3)
3. (New section) A student shall not be denied admittance to a public school due to tardiness.
4. (New section) A student shall not be denied admittance to a public school due to a violation of a school uniform policy or dress code policy, except as may be provided pursuant to a dress code policy adopted pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1996, c.93 (C.18A:11-9).
5. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
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 provisions of the bill pertaining to dress codes and school uniform policies applies to all public schools, including charter schools.
A board of education or board of trustees of a charter school may adopt a dress code policy to prohibit students from wearing clothing, apparel, or accessories which display hate speech, including the symbols or slogans of hate groups. Current law provides that a school dress code can prohibit students from wearing clothing that indicates membership in, or affiliation with, any gang associated with criminal activities. The bill also requires local law enforcement to advise the school board upon its request of the common symbols and slogans of hate groups.
