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Bill

S 4262

Establishes "The CAMPUS Act: Combating Antisemitism to Mitigate Prejudice in Universities and Schools"; addresses instruction on antisemitism and antisemitic harassment, intimidation, and bullying in public schools.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Doug Steinhardt

New Jersey bill mandates public schools teach antisemitism history and establish policies addressing antisemitic harassment, aiming to improve Jewish student safety.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee
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Bill Summary · S 4262

Legislative bill overview

The CAMPUS Act requires New Jersey public schools to include instruction on antisemitism, its history, and contemporary manifestations in their curricula. The bill also mandates that schools establish clear policies addressing antisemitic harassment, intimidation, and bullying, with reporting and response procedures.

Why is this important

Antisemitic incidents in schools have increased in recent years, affecting Jewish students' sense of safety and belonging. This legislation aims to combat prejudice through education while establishing accountability mechanisms for schools to address discriminatory behavior. Such policies can serve as models for addressing other forms of bias in educational settings.

Potential points of contention

  • Curriculum specificity: Questions about what specific content on antisemitism should be taught, at what grade levels, and how this fits within existing social studies or history requirements without overcrowding curricula
  • Definition and scope: Disagreement over what constitutes antisemitism (including whether criticism of Israeli government policies should be included) and how schools should distinguish between legitimate political discourse and antisemitic rhetoric
  • Resource requirements: Concerns about whether schools have adequate funding and teacher training to implement these requirements effectively, and whether unfunded mandates place undue burden on districts

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

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