This bill amends existing laws related to the employment history review process for prospective employees in educational institutions, including school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and contracted service providers. Notably, it removes the 20-year limitation on reviewing former employers and requires applicants to provide written authorization for the disclosure of their employment history. Employers are now mandated to maintain records of these reviews, which will be subject to audits by the Commissioner of Education. The bill also increases the civil penalty for applicants who provide false information from $500 to $10,000 and establishes a centralized school employee identification database to compile disqualifying information, such as child abuse records and disciplinary actions.

Additionally, the bill outlines specific procedures for investigating allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct by school employees, requiring investigations to be initiated within one school day and completed within ten school days. It prohibits schools from contracting with service providers lacking comparable investigation procedures and mandates the Department of Education to provide training for designated employees. The Commissioner of Education is tasked with conducting audits every five years to ensure compliance with child protection laws and must report findings and recommendations regarding the efficacy of these provisions, aligning with recommendations from the New Jersey State Commission of Investigations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:6-7.7, 18A:6-7.8, 18A:6-7.9, 18A:6-7.10, 18A:6-7.11, 18A:6-7.13