This bill amends existing laws regarding criminal history record checks for individuals involved in construction or public works activities within school buildings. It prohibits the New Jersey Schools Development Authority and educational institutions from employing or contracting with any general contractor, subcontractor, or worker who may work on school property while school is in session unless they can demonstrate that no disqualifying criminal history exists. The bill also mandates that third-party contractors submit a list of employees who will work on school projects and certify that each has undergone the required criminal history checks. Additionally, it increases penalties for non-compliance with these requirements, raising fines from a maximum of $500 to $1,000 for the first offense and $5,000 for subsequent offenses, with further restrictions on third-party contractors who violate these provisions.

Furthermore, the bill requires each school district to review and update its visitor policy to ensure proper registration of contractors and workers entering school buildings. The Commissioner of Education is tasked with applying the same standards and procedures for determining eligibility for public school employment as outlined in current law. The bill also calls for revisions to the School Safety and Security Manual to assist districts in implementing these updated visitor policies. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance safety protocols in schools by ensuring that individuals with potentially disqualifying criminal histories do not have access to school environments.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:6-7.1, 18A:6-7.2, 18A:6-7.5