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A 2240

Provides for absence from school for the mental or behavioral health of the minor

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Burdick and 6 co-sponsors

Requires appointing authorities to make racial and gender diversity a primary objective when filling statutorily created boards and commissions, reflecting New Jersey residents.

REFERRED TO EDUCATION
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 2240

Bill A 2240 — Summary

Note: The bill’s title references absence from school for a minor’s mental or behavioral health, but the version content provided here concerns diversity in the membership of boards and commissions. The summary below is based on the bill text included in the provided material, which focuses on diversity in appointments to statutorily established multi-member bodies.

Overview and Intent

  • Objective: To require appointing authorities (the Governor, President of the Senate, Speaker of the General Assembly, or other authorized person) to make achieving racial and gender diversity among members a primary consideration when selecting individuals for appointment to boards, commissions, task forces, or other multi-member bodies established by statute.
  • Scope: Applies to appointments to any statutorily established multi-member body, regardless of when the statute was enacted (before, on, or after the act’s effective date).
  • Nature of requirement: Diversity consideration is described as a primary objective unless it conflicts with the particular circumstances of the appointment or with the statute’s requirements.

Key Provisions

  • Primary consideration for diversity:
    • Appointing authorities must prioritize membership that reflects the racial and gender diversity of New Jersey residents.
    • This consideration is primary unless there are special circumstances or statutory constraints that justify a deviation.
  • Definitions:
    • Gender: Includes sex-related or gender-related characteristics, including gender identity; is treated as having the same legal meaning as sex.
    • Race: Defines major groupings into which humankind is divided based on physical characteristics or shared ancestry.
  • Immediate effect: The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.
  • Relationship to existing statutes: The diversity requirement applies to appointments to boards/commissions “established by statute,” and must be balanced against specific appointment circumstances and statutory requirements.

Who is Affected

  • Primary audience: State-level appointing authorities (Governor, President of the Senate, Speaker of the General Assembly, and other persons authorized to appoint members) responsible for filling seats on boards, commissions, task forces, and similar multi-member bodies.
  • Indirect effects: Current and future members of statutorily established boards/commissions; state residents whose representation is intended to be reflected in these bodies.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: January 9, 2024 (A 2240).
  • Legislative actions:
    • Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee at introduction.
    • In 2025, subsequently referred to the Education Committee (listed as “REFERRED TO EDUCATION” twice in 2025 records).
  • Sponsorship:
    • Primary Sponsor: Jo Anne Simon.
    • Cosponsors: Kwani O’Pharrow, Chris Burdick, Charles Fall, Deborah Glick, Catalina Cruz, David Weprin.
  • Related bills (companion and prior-session bills): S 2210 (companion), S 6923 (companion), A 8543, A 1869, A 7233, among others.

Related Information

  • The bill’s related actions indicate ongoing consideration in the Legislature, with companion bills in the Senate and Assembly.
  • If you are researching this bill for a specific committee or legislative docket, verify the latest status and text, as committee referrals and versions can change.

Notes and Considerations

  • The provided text emphasizes diversity in statutory appointments but does not address broader societal or programmatic impacts beyond representation on boards.
  • The stated title (absence from school for mental/behavioral health) does not align with the text of the introduced version. Readers should verify the official bill text and title in the current legislative record to confirm scope and intent.

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

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