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Bill

A 1933

Authorizes Class Three special law enforcement officers to provide security in places of religious worship; makes certain clarifications concerning their use in nonpublic schools.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Annette Quijano and 1 co-sponsor

Class Three SLEOs can provide full police powers for security at places of religious worship, with districts covering and paying for security in both public and nonpublic schools.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee
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Bill Summary · A 1933

Summary of Bill A1933 (New Jersey, 2026)

Jurisdiction: New Jersey | Session: 222 | Title: Authorizes Class Three special law enforcement officers to provide security in places of religious worship; makes certain clarifications concerning their use in nonpublic schools

Purpose and intent

  • Expand the scope of security provisions for Class Three Special Law Enforcement Officers (SLEOs) to include places of religious worship (e.g., churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, and other congregational buildings).
  • Clarify responsibilities and payment arrangements when Class Three SLEOs are used to provide security in both public and nonpublic schools within a district.
  • Align with the framework established by P.L.2016, c.68 (which created Class Three SLEOs to assist with security in schools and county colleges) and extend it to religious facilities.

Key provisions and changes

Classification and training (existing framework; reinforced)

  • Maintains three classifications of SLEOs, with training and certification standards set by the Commission.
  • Class One: limited powers (e.g., traffic detail, simple offenses); firearms prohibited.
  • Class Two: full powers similar to permanent police; firearms authorized after full certification.
  • Class Three: full powers similar to police while serving in specific security roles (schools, county colleges, and now places of religious worship).

Class Three SLEOs – new duties and scope

  • (a) Security in places of religious worship: Class Three officers may exercise full police powers while providing security at churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, and other congregational worship spaces.
  • Firearm authority for Class Three remains subject to the same firearms provisions as other Class Three duties; off-duty carry is allowed only under specific conditions (mirroring existing statute for retired officers per subsection l. of N.J.S.2C:39-6).

School security responsibilities (clarifications)

  • When a school district procures Class Three SLEO security for public schools, the district must also arrange for security coverage in nonpublic schools within the same district.
  • The school district is responsible for compensating the local unit (presumably the police department) for the security services provided in both public and nonpublic schools.

Certification and eligibility (existing framework; clarified)

  • The commission may exempt individuals who have completed substantially equivalent training conducted by other agencies.
  • Certificates issued by the Commission must clearly state the officer’s certified category.

Effective date and transitional provisions

  • The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.
  • Provisions include a transitional rule: all Class Three SLEOs appointed and in service on the effective date may continue in service if, within 24 months, they complete all training and certification requirements of the act.

Who is affected

  • Class Three SLEOs (security officers with full police powers) will be authorized to provide security in places of religious worship.
  • School districts employing Class Three SLEOs for public school security must also provide these officers for nonpublic schools within the district, and districts bear the cost of these services.
  • Local police departments that appoint Class Three SLEOs may see a broader deployment footprint, including religious facilities and nonpublic schools.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: January 13, 2026 (Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee).
  • Immediate effective date upon enactment (no delay period).
  • Transitional provision: 24-month window to complete required training and certification for currently serving Class Three SLEOs.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with the 2016 framework (P.L.2016, c.68) or a quick quick-reference checklist for districts considering implementation.

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

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