2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes
Title 18A - Education
Section 18A:37-37 - Interpretation.
18A:37-37 Interpretation.
5. The provisions of P.L.2011, c.64 (C.18A:37-33 et al.) shall not be interpreted to prevent a victim from seeking redress under any other available law, either civil or criminal, and does not create or alter any tort liability.
L.2011, c.64, s.5.
18A:37-37.1 School Climate State Coordinator, established.
5. There is hereby established within the Department of Education a School Climate State Coordinator to serve as a resource to parents, students, and educators. The duties and responsibilities of the State coordinator shall include:
a. Identifying and disseminating research and resources, including professional development resources, to promote best practices in student social-emotional learning and the development of a positive, supportive school climate in New Jersey schools;
b. Providing information regarding the provisions and procedures of the "Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act," P.L.2002, c.83 (C.18A:37-13 et seq.), and regulations promulgated thereto, relevant provisions of the "Law Against Discrimination," P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.), and other State and federal laws addressing harassment, intimidation, and bullying;
c. Reviewing and reporting data collected on harassment, intimidation and bullying pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1982, c.163 (C.18A:17-46) to identify and report to the Department of Education any patterns of harassment, intimidation, or bullying in public schools. The department shall review the information provided by the State coordinator to develop guidance and strategies for public schools, parents, school staff, and other agencies, as appropriate;
d. Assisting the Department of Education in creating public information programs that educate parents, educators, and the public concerning the duties of the State coordinator, the issue of harassment, intimidation, and bullying, and the resources available to address and prevent harassment, intimidation, and bullying;
e. Working collaboratively with law enforcement, the Department of Education, the Division on Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety, and the Department of Health to develop a training program on the impact of harassment, intimidation, and bullying on students and schools, that will be available for school districts to use in local anti-bullying programs and intervention plans;
f. Working collaboratively with law enforcement, including organizations representing school resource officers, to develop resources and training for law enforcement concerning the impact of harassment, intimidation, and bullying on students and schools, and the appropriate role of law enforcement in such matters pursuant to the Uniform Memorandum of Agreement Between Education and Law Enforcement Officials; and
g. Annually providing to the Commissioner of Education, the State Board of Education, and pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1) the Legislature, a report summarizing the activities of the State coordinator, and any specific recommendations concerning school climate best practices and procedures.
L. 2021, c.338, s.5.
18A:37-37.2 Confidentiality.
6. The School Climate State Coordinator shall consider communications received in the course of his duties, including personally identifiable information regarding students, parents, and others from whom information is acquired, as confidential and shall not disclose this information, in accordance with State and federal law.
L. 2021, c.338, s.6.
18A:37-37.3 Contact information for School Climate State Coordinator.
7. The Department of Education shall post in a prominent location on the homepage of its Internet website the contact information for the School Climate State Coordinator. Each school district shall post this information on its website at the same location it makes its policy on harassment, intimidation, and bullying available.
L. 2021, c.338, s.7.
18A:37-37.4 State assistance for School Climate State Coordinator.
8. The School Climate State Coordinator is authorized to call upon any department, office, division, or agency of the State to supply the State coordinator with data and any other information or assistance available to the department, office, division, or agency as the State coordinator deems necessary to discharge the duties under P.L.2021, c.338 (C.2A:53A-17.1 et al.). Each department, office, division, or agency, to the extent not inconsistent with law, shall cooperate fully with the State coordinator within the limits of its statutory authority, and provide such assistance on as timely a basis as is necessary to enable the State coordinator to accomplish his duties pursuant to P.L.2021, c.338 (C.2A:53A-17.1 et al.). The State coordinator may consult with experts or other knowledgeable individuals in the public or private sector on any aspect of the State coordinator's mission.
L. 2021, c.338, s.8.
18A:37-37.5 Funding of School Climate State Coordinator position.
9. The Legislature shall appropriate such monies as necessary to fund the position of School Climate State Coordinator established pursuant to section 5 of P.L.2021, c.338 (C.18A:37-37.1), and the "Bullying Prevention Fund" established pursuant to section 25 of P.L. 2010, c.122 (C.18A:37-28), and such other monies as necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
L. 2021, c.338, s.9.
