This bill mandates that school boards and charter school trustees create a policy to regulate the questioning of minor students by non-school employees and certain school personnel. The new legal language specifies that such questioning cannot occur without prior written consent from a parent or guardian. Additionally, the policy must ensure that adult students are asked if they wish for their parents or guardians to be notified before any questioning takes place. Parents and guardians are granted the right to be present during any questioning of their minor or consenting adult students, and they may also have their own attorney present.

The bill also includes provisions that allow parents and guardians of minor and adult students who feel aggrieved by violations of this policy to seek declaratory and equitable relief through the superior court. However, it clarifies that personnel from the division of children, youth, and family services or law enforcement may question a minor without parental notice if it pertains to a legitimate child welfare inquiry. The effective date for this act is set for January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 189:1-a
Version adopted by both bodies: 189:1-a
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 189:1-a
HB1267 text: 189:1-a