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A 1697

Relates to farm worker meal and lodging minimum wage credits

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Karl Brabenec and 10 co-sponsors

Requires each school district to adopt policies with temperature-control standards, designate monitors, and follow protocols aligned with building codes and indoor air quality rule

PRINT NUMBER 1697A
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Bill Summary · A 1697

Summary — A.1697 (Print 1697A)

Note: The bill number A.1697 is here shown with an introduced version that addresses temperature control of public school buildings. (The header “Relates to farm worker meal and lodging minimum wage credits” appears inconsistent with the bill text provided; this summary covers the introduced text concerning school temperature-control policy.)

Purpose

Require school boards to adopt district policies establishing temperature-control standards and response protocols so public school buildings provide, to the greatest extent feasible, temperature‑controlled environments conducive to learning.

Key provisions

  • Board policy requirement

    • Each board of education must adopt a policy establishing temperature-control standards and guidelines for all district facilities.
    • The policy’s objective is to ensure school buildings provide a temperature‑controlled environment conducive to learning, to the greatest extent feasible.

  • Designated monitor

    • Each school building must have a designated staff member responsible for monitoring compliance with the standards and initiating permitted corrective measures.

  • Protocol for out‑of‑range temperatures

    • Policies must establish a protocol to follow when classroom temperatures are identified as “not conducive to learning.” (The bill does not set a specific numeric temperature threshold in the text; it references applicable regulatory standards.)

  • Conformity with building and fire codes

    • Policies must identify what temperature-control measures are permitted under local building and fire codes (e.g., use/placement of portable units, window use, ventilation adjustments).

  • Reference to existing Indoor Air Quality standards

    • Policies must be informed by N.J.A.C. 12:100‑13.3(a)4 of the Indoor Air Quality Standard (Department of Labor and Workforce Development).
    • Corrective measures should, where feasible, follow actions outlined in N.J.A.C. 12:100‑13.3(a)1.

  • State guidance

    • The New Jersey Department of Education and the Department of Health shall jointly develop guidance to help districts establish and implement the required policy.

Effective date

  • The act would take effect on July 1 of the school year following enactment.

Who is affected

  • Boards of education and school districts (policy adoption, monitoring, and protocol implementation)
  • School building staff (designated monitors)
  • Students and families (classroom learning environments)
  • Local facilities/maintenance staff and local code/fire officials (coordination about permitted corrective actions)
  • New Jersey Departments of Education and Health (guidance development)

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Operational: districts may need to train designated monitors, adopt new procedures, and document responses.
  • Facilities/costs: districts may incur costs for corrective actions (HVAC repairs, portable units, maintenance) or need capital planning to meet standards.
  • Compliance and safety: policies must balance comfort goals with local building/fire code restrictions and indoor air quality practices.
  • Implementation guidance from DOE/Health will affect uniformity and enforcement.

Legislative status and sponsors

  • Introduced: January 9, 2024. Print number 1697A issued March 26, 2025.
  • Committee actions: Referred to Assembly Education (initial) and later to Labor; amended and recommitted to Labor (3/26/2025).
  • Primary sponsor: Carrie Woerner; multiple cosponsors listed.
  • Related/companion legislation: S.1520; S.6542 and several prior‑session bills listed.

This bill focuses on establishing district-level policy and procedures (rather than specifying numeric temperature limits) and relies on state agency guidance and existing indoor air quality regulations to shape implementation.

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

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