The Safer Students Act establishes stringent requirements for educational institutions, including school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and institutions of higher education, to conduct thorough reviews of the employment history of prospective employees to identify any allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct. The legislation mandates that employers verify applicants' employment histories by obtaining information from previous employers regarding any investigations or disciplinary actions related to misconduct. It also introduces a compliance specialist role within each institution to oversee adherence to these requirements and facilitate the verification process. Additionally, the Act allows for the sharing of employment information with relevant state agencies and mandates audits by the Office of the State Auditor to ensure compliance.

The bill outlines comprehensive procedures for investigating allegations of misconduct, requiring designated employees to initiate investigations within one school day of receiving credible allegations and complete them within ten school days. It emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability, introducing penalties for noncompliance, including fines and withholding state aid. Institutions of higher education are prohibited from entering agreements that would suppress information related to investigations. The Secretary of Higher Education is tasked with conducting public awareness campaigns and ensuring that designated employees receive training on these procedures. Overall, the Safer Students Act aims to enhance student safety by enforcing rigorous standards for hiring practices and investigation protocols regarding allegations of child abuse and sexual misconduct.

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