The Safer Students Act mandates comprehensive reviews of the employment history of prospective employees in K-12 schools and institutions of higher education to identify any allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct. It requires applicants to provide detailed employment histories and written authorizations for previous employers to disclose relevant information. Employers must report new hires and maintain records of these reviews, which are subject to audits by the Office of the State Auditor. The Act also establishes a compliance specialist in each school district and institution to oversee adherence to these provisions and facilitate the verification of employment information.

Additionally, the bill outlines strict procedures for investigating allegations of misconduct, requiring investigations to be initiated within one school day and completed within ten school days. It emphasizes the importance of training for designated employees involved in these investigations and introduces penalties for noncompliance, including fines and potential disciplinary actions. The Secretary of Higher Education is tasked with ensuring compliance and publishing a list of institutions with incidents of noncompliance. Overall, the Safer Students Act aims to enhance student safety by implementing rigorous hiring practices and investigation protocols to protect against individuals with a history of misconduct.

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