(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by
Assembly Democrats Gilbert “Whip” L. Wilson (D-Camden/Gloucester), Gordon
Johnson (D-Bergen) and Connie Wagner (D-Bergen) to create a task force charged
with making recommendations to improve security and makes schools safer was
approved Thursday by the General Assembly.
“The Newtown shooting showed us that
evil can strike anywhere, even in a school filled with small, defenseless
children,” said Wilson. “This bill helps ensure a safe and secure learning
environment for students and staff members by creating a special task force
charged with developing strategies that will help address school safety issues
and hopefully prevent another senseless tragedy.”
“It is heartbreaking that parents
must now worry about the possibility of a violent attack when they send their
children off to school,” said Johnson. “The Newtown shooting made it
terrifyingly clear that a deranged individual has no limits. Identifying
security flaws and implementing proven security measures to make our schools
safer must be part of any effort to curb gun violence.”
“We send our children to school with
the expectation that they will be safe. What transpired at Sandy Hook Elementary
School was horrific. Several of the mass shootings in this country have taken
place in school settings,” said Wagner. “We must ensure our schools are equipped
with the proper safety precautions to help prevent and minimize potential safety
threats against students and staff.”
The bill is part of the Assembly
Democratic gun violence prevention package.
The bill (A3583-1613) establishes a
15-member School Security Task Force to study and develop recommendations for
improving school security and safety, and ensuring a safe learning environment
for students and school employees. The task force is to be comprised of: the
Commissioner of Education; the Director of the Office of Homeland Security and
Preparedness; the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Schools Development
Authority; two members of the Senate and two members of the General Assembly;
four members appointed by the Governor, including a representative of the New
Jersey Association of School Business Officials; a representative of the New
Jersey Education Association; a representative of the New Jersey School Boards
Association; a representative of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors
Association; and four members of the public, two appointed by the Governor, one
appointed by the Senate president, and one appointed by the Speaker of the
General Assembly. The four public members must have demonstrated expertise in
the development or implementation of school security standards or
technology.
The task force is charged with
identifying physical and cyber vulnerabilities and potential breaches of
security in the public schools, and making appropriate recommendations to
improve school security. The task force will study issues including, but not
limited to:
·
placing screening systems at school entrances;
·
stationing police officers in each school
building;
·
improving response times to emergency situations
including lockdowns, active shooter, and bomb threats;
·
requiring advanced student and visitor
identification cards;
·
using biometric, retina, or other advanced
recognition systems for authorized entrance into school buildings;
·
installing panic alarms in school buildings to alert
local law enforcement authorities to emergency situations;
·
securing computer networks to prevent cyber attacks;
·
scheduling periodic patrols of school buildings and
grounds by local law enforcement officers; and
·
hardening the school perimeter and building
entryways.
The task force will also examine
building security and assessment standards for existing school facilities and
new construction. In developing its recommendations, the task force would have
to consider effective strategies that have been employed in other states; refer
to and incorporate existing state research, data, recommendations and standards
and solicit public input. The task force is required to issue a final report to
the governor, the Legislature, and the State Board of Education within six
months of its organizational meeting. The report is to contain its findings and
determinations, including any recommendations for legislation or regulations
that it deems appropriate. The bill would take effect immediately and the task
force would expire upon the issuance of the task force final
report.
The bill was approved 77-0 by the
Assembly and now awaits further consideration by the Senate.
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