The Safer Students Act establishes rigorous requirements for the hiring and investigation processes related to allegations of child abuse and sexual misconduct in educational institutions, including K-12 schools and higher education. It mandates that all school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and institutions of higher education conduct thorough reviews of prospective employees' employment histories, specifically looking for any allegations of misconduct. Applicants must provide a list of their current and former employers and disclose any past investigations or disciplinary actions. Employers are required to verify this information and maintain records, which may be audited by the Office of the State Auditor. The Act also designates a compliance specialist in each institution to oversee adherence to these requirements and tasks the Department of Education with creating a public awareness campaign regarding rights and responsibilities under the law.

In addition to these hiring protocols, the Act outlines specific procedures for investigating allegations of misconduct, requiring investigations to begin within one school day of receiving credible allegations and to be completed within ten school days. The results must be reported to school authorities for appropriate action. The bill imposes penalties for noncompliance, including fines and withholding state aid, and prohibits institutions from entering agreements that suppress information about investigations. It emphasizes transparency and accountability through audits and mandates training for designated employees on the new procedures. Overall, the Safer Students Act aims to enhance student safety by ensuring that individuals with a history of misconduct are not employed in positions involving contact with children and by reinforcing protections for all students in educational settings.

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