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S 4467

"Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act"; prohibits harassment or bullying of nonpublic school students and requires nonpublic schools to adopt anti-harassment and bullying policy.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Vin Gopal and 1 co-sponsor

Prohibits harassment of nonpublic school students and requires nonpublic schools to adopt formal anti-harassment and anti-bullying policies.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4467

Bill Overview

S 4467, the "Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act," is a New Jersey Senate measure introduced in the 222nd session. The bill would prohibit harassment or bullying of nonpublic school students and require nonpublic schools to adopt anti-harassment and bullying policies. It has been referred to the Senate Education Committee for consideration. The bill lists two co-sponsors: Sen. Shirley Turner and Sen. Vin Gopal.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • Establish protections against harassment and bullying targeting students in nonpublic (private and parochial) schools.
  • Require nonpublic schools to implement formal anti-harassment and anti-bullying policies to create a safer educational environment for all students, regardless of school type.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Prohibition of Harassment/Bullying: The bill would make it unlawful to harass or bully nonpublic school students. While the exact definitions and thresholds are not provided in the summary, the aim is to extend anti-harassment protections beyond public schools to nonpublic school settings.
  • Policy Adoption Requirement: Nonpublic schools would be mandated to adopt an anti-harassment and anti-bullying policy. The policy would likely specify:
    • Prohibited conduct (types of harassment and bullying, including but not limited to based on race, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics).
    • Reporting mechanisms for students, families, and staff.
    • Procedures for investigating complaints.
    • Timelines for response and resolution.
    • Remedies and disciplinary measures for violations of the policy.
    • Support resources for victims and, where appropriate, avenues for resolution.
  • Compliance and Enforcement: The bill would presumably outline enforcement mechanisms and possible penalties or corrective actions for nonpublic schools that fail to comply, though specific enforcement details are not provided in the summary.

Affected Parties

  • Nonpublic School Students: The primary beneficiaries would be students enrolled in private, parochial, and other nonpublic schools who would gain protections against harassment and bullying.
  • Nonpublic Schools: Institutions would bear new compliance obligations, including policy development, dissemination, and enforcement processes.
  • School Personnel and Families: Staff would be responsible for enforcing policies, reporting incidents, and participating in investigations. Families would have channels to report concerns.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction: The bill was introduced in the Senate.
  • Referral: It has been referred to the Senate Education Committee, where it will be reviewed, possibly amended, and subjected to hearings and votes.
  • Sponsorship: The bill lists two co-sponsors, Sen. Shirley Turner and Sen. Vin Gopal, indicating legislative support and potential advocacy focus.

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Harmonization with Public School Policies: If aligned with existing public school anti-bullying laws, the bill could standardize protections across school types and reduce gaps in student safety.
  • Policy Details Needed: The effectiveness depends on concrete definitions of prohibited conduct, reporting procedures, timelines, confidentiality safeguards, and funding or resources for implementation in nonpublic schools.
  • Implementation Challenges: Smaller nonpublic schools may require guidance and support to develop policies, train staff, and establish consistent complaint resolution processes.

If you’d like, I can locate the full text to provide exact definitions, reporting timelines, and enforcement provisions, or compare this bill to existing anti-bullying statutes in New Jersey.

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

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