This bill amends current law to require school districts in New Jersey to obtain written permission from a parent or legal guardian before administering certain health surveys to students. Previously, school districts were only required to send prior written notification to parents or guardians, allowing them to administer anonymous, voluntary surveys related to issues such as substance use, sexual behavior, and physical activity. The new requirement emphasizes parental consent, ensuring that parents or guardians must actively grant permission for their child to participate in these surveys.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the written permission form must be delivered to parents or guardians at least two weeks prior to the survey's administration and must include specific information about the survey's purpose, content, and access to the results. The information collected from these surveys will still be submitted to the Department of Education and the Department of Health for the development of public health initiatives, but it cannot be used for marketing or commercial purposes unrelated to student health. The bill also establishes penalties for school districts that fail to comply with these provisions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:36-34.1