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Bill

A 902

Relates to site mapping for emergency response data and school safety plans

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Marianne Buttenschon and 2 co-sponsors

Mandates NJ districts close all schools on general election day and the tied primary day, effective immediately, impacting calendars, staffing, and polling logistics.

REFERRED TO EDUCATION
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Bill Summary · A 902

Summary of New Jersey Assembly Bill A 902

Overview

  • Bill: A 902
  • Title (provided): Relates to site mapping for emergency response data and school safety plans
  • Introduced: January 9, 2024
  • Current status: Referred to Education
  • Primary sponsor: Amy Paulin
  • Cosponsors: David McDonough, Marianne Buttenschon
  • Related/companion bills: S 954; S 2588; A 5258 (prior-session)

Note on title vs. text: The bill’s title references site mapping for emergency response data and school safety plans, but the introduced language and statement of purpose focus on school calendar changes. The summary below reflects the introduced content as provided.

What the bill would do (introduced version)

  • Section 1. Calendar requirement
    • A board of education must close the district’s schools on the day of a general election, or on the day of a primary election that is tied to the general election.
  • Section 2. Effective date
    • The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill shifts from discretionary annual school calendar decisions to a mandatory closure on election days. The stated goal is to ensure schools are closed on major election dates, potentially to support election logistics and use of school facilities for polling or related purposes, while standardizing calendar decisions on these days.

Key provisions and changes

  • Mandatory closure on election days:
    • General election day: close all district schools.
    • Primary election day (for the general election): close all district schools on that day as well.
  • Immediate effect: The requirement would be in force as soon as enacted, with no transition period.

Who would be affected

  • Public school districts in New Jersey
  • Students, families, and school staff (teachers, administrators, support staff)
  • Election-related planning officials and facilities management in districts
  • Voters who use school buildings as polling places or as sites supporting election operations

Procedural/timeline aspects

  • Introduced in the Assembly on January 9, 2024
  • Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee initially; status shows referral to Education
  • Legislative actions listed include a 2025 referral to Education (duplicative entries)

Context and related items

  • Related bills with similar subject matter (companions or previous sessions): S 954; S 2588; A 5258
  • The bill is positioned within the broader category of school calendar and governance provisions, not within emergency response site-mapping unless further text clarifies that linkage

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Education calendar certainty: Districts would remove discretion on election days, potentially simplifying scheduling.
  • Operational implications: Possible need for make-up days or calendar adjustments if election-day closures affect instructional time.
  • Election logistics: Could facilitate use of school facilities for polling or other election activities, with security and safety considerations.
  • Equity and access: Uniform treatment across districts could have varied effects depending on local election scheduling and school year calendars.

If you want, I can compare A 902 to its companion bills (S 954, S 2588, A 5258) to highlight similarities/differences or provide a short table of key provisions across versions.

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

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