The Safer Students Act aims to enhance student safety across K-12 and higher education institutions by instituting rigorous hiring practices and investigation protocols concerning allegations of child abuse and sexual misconduct. The bill mandates that all educational entities, including school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and institutions of higher education, conduct comprehensive reviews of prospective employees' employment histories to identify any past allegations of misconduct. Key provisions include the establishment of compliance specialists within each institution to oversee adherence to these requirements, the initiation of investigations within one school day of receiving credible allegations, and the completion of such investigations within ten school days. The bill also emphasizes the importance of training for designated employees and outlines penalties for noncompliance, including fines and potential withholding of state aid.

Additionally, the Safer Students Act prohibits any agreements that would suppress or destroy information related to investigations of misconduct and requires that contracted service providers adhere to comparable investigation procedures. It mandates public awareness campaigns to inform applicants and employers of their rights and responsibilities, while the Office of the State Auditor is granted authority to audit compliance with these new regulations. By expanding the current requirements for K-12 institutions to include higher education, the legislation seeks to ensure that all hiring entities conduct thorough background checks and maintain a safe educational environment for students, addressing recommendations from the New Jersey State Commission of Investigations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2A:17-56.61, 18A:6-7.7, 18A:6-7.9, 18A:6-7.10, 18A:6-7.13