WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 5304

Establishes three-year pilot program for school-based mentoring in public schools located within 1,000 feet of gunfire.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Carter and 1 co-sponsor

Establishes a three-year pilot to provide school-based mentoring in public schools within 1,000 feet of gunfire to boost safety, resilience, and student engagement.

0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 5304

Bill Overview

  • Bill: A 5304
  • Session: 222
  • Jurisdiction: New Jersey
  • Title: Establishes a three-year pilot program for school-based mentoring in public schools located within 1,000 feet of gunfire
  • Sponsors: Co-sponsors Linda Carter and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Purpose and Intent

The bill establishes a targeted, three-year pilot program to implement school-based mentoring in public schools that are located within 1,000 feet of potential gunfire or shooting incidents. The aim is to provide mentoring support to students in high-risk school environments to bolster safety, resilience, academic engagement, and social-emotional learning in response to proximity to gun violence.

Key Provisions

  • Pilot Scope and Location
    • Applies to public schools located within 1,000 feet of gunfire or incidents of gun violence.
    • Creates a three-year pilot program to implement and evaluate mentoring services in these schools.
  • Program Elements
    • Establishment of structured school-based mentoring initiatives, including trained mentors who work with students.
    • Mentoring may focus on academic support, behavioral and social-emotional development, coping skills, and relationship-building with caring adults.
  • Implementation and Administration
    • Requirements for selecting participating schools and identifying eligible students.
    • Mentoring program standards, including mentor-to-student ratios, supervision, training, and program fidelity measures.
    • Collaboration with school personnel, community organizations, and possibly local law enforcement or public safety partners to ensure safety and coordination.
  • Funding and Resources
    • Allocation of state resources (or authorization) to fund program activities, mentor recruitment, training, and coordination.
    • Potential inclusion of metrics for cost-effectiveness or budget reporting.
  • Evaluation
    • Mandates for evaluating program impact on school safety, student well-being, attendance, and academic outcomes.
    • Reporting requirements to the Legislature on progress and findings, including any recommendations for program expansion or modification.

Who Is Affected

  • Students in participating public schools located within 1,000 feet of gunfire.
  • School staff and administrators responsible for implementing mentoring and coordinating with external partners.
  • Mentors and mentoring organizations contracted to provide services.
  • Local communities and families connected to the affected schools.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Pilot Duration: Three years.
  • Program Start: Contingent on enactment and any required regulatory or administrative steps; exact start date to be determined upon final passage and implementation guidelines.
  • Reporting: Ongoing monitoring with final or periodic reports to the Legislature assessing outcomes and potential expansion.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Educational and safety outcomes: Aims to improve student engagement, reduce disciplinary incidents, and support resilience in environments with nearby gun violence.
  • Resource implications: Requires funding, staffing, and coordination; effectiveness will depend on implementation quality and community partnerships.
  • Equity considerations: Targets schools near gunfire, which may disproportionately affect certain districts; implementation should consider equitable access and inclusion of at-risk student populations.
  • Evaluation and scalability: Success metrics and evaluation results will influence whether the pilot expands to additional schools or becomes a statewide program.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to include hypothetical metrics, budgeting ranges, or a comparison with similar mentoring initiatives.

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

Sign in to ask a question.