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Bill

S 2409

Authorizes Class Three special law enforcement officers to provide security in places of religious worship; requires nonpublic security aid be used for Class Three officers upon request of nonpublic school.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Tony Bucco

S 2409 authorizes Class Three officers to secure religious worship sites and requires nonpublic schools access to security funding for these officers upon request.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee
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Bill Summary · S 2409

Legislative bill overview

S 2409 authorizes Class Three special law enforcement officers to provide security at religious worship locations and requires nonpublic schools to have access to nonpublic security funding for these officers upon request. The bill expands the deployment authority and funding mechanisms for a specific class of law enforcement personnel in New Jersey's private religious and educational settings.

Why is this important

This bill addresses security concerns at vulnerable locations—places of worship and private schools—by clarifying the legal authority and funding availability for specialized officers. It reflects ongoing national concerns about security threats to religious institutions and private educational facilities, while also potentially affecting how nonpublic schools allocate security resources and budgets.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition and oversight of Class Three officers: The bill doesn't define what qualifications, training, or accountability measures apply to Class Three officers, raising questions about consistency and public safety standards
  • "Upon request" funding mechanism: Unclear whether schools must pay for these officers themselves or whether "nonpublic security aid" is a separate public funding stream; this could create equity issues between wealthy and under-resourced schools
  • Religious institution security precedent: Providing government-authorized officers specifically for religious spaces may raise church-state separation concerns for some stakeholders, while others see it as appropriate public safety

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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