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Bill

S 4357

Requires nonpublic school to forward student discipline records of students who transfer to public school.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Troy Singleton

Nonpublic schools must forward a transferring student's disciplinary records to the receiving public district on written request, notify parents, and no consent is required.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee
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Bill Summary · S 4357

Summary of S 4357 (New Jersey)

Purpose and scope

  • Purpose: Requires a nonpublic school to forward to a public school district the disciplinary records of a student who transfers from the nonpublic school to a public school. The bill supplements Chapter 36 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
  • Policy goal: Ensure public school districts receive relevant disciplinary information for transferring students to support safety, student supports, and appropriate placement.

Key provisions

  • Definitions

    • A “nonpublic school” is defined as any elementary or secondary school in New Jersey, other than a public school, serving grades K-12 (or any subset of those grades) that complies with applicable civil rights requirements.

  • Transfer of disciplinary records

    • When a student enrolled in a nonpublic school transfers to a public school, the chief school administrator of the nonpublic school must provide to the receiving public school district, upon written request, all information in the student’s record related to disciplinary action taken by the nonpublic school.
    • The nonpublic school must also notify the district in writing if it has obtained information from a court or a law enforcement or prosecuting agency about offenses involving the student.
    • If the district does not receive the records, it must use every available means to obtain them.

  • Parent/adult student consent

    • Written consent of the parent or adult student is not required as a condition for receipt of the information specified in this section.
    • However, the nonpublic school must provide written notice of the transfer to the parent or adult student.

  • Information scope

    • The scope includes disciplinary records held by the nonpublic school and any information the nonpublic school may have received pursuant to court or law enforcement communications (as described above).

  • Procedural alignment

    • The bill mirrors existing procedures for transferring student records used when a public school student transfers between public districts, extending a similar mechanism to transfers from nonpublic to public schools.

Who is affected

  • Nonpublic elementary and secondary schools within New Jersey.
  • Public school districts receiving transferring students.
  • Parents and adult students affected by the transfer and notification requirements.

Effective date and timing

  • Effective date: Immediate.

Legislative actions and sponsors

  • Status: Introduced in the Senate and referred to the Senate Education Committee.
  • Introduced date: February 4, 2025.
  • Latest action: May 12, 2025 — Referred to Senate Education Committee.
  • Primary sponsor: Jamaal Bailey.
  • Co-sponsors: Luis R. Sepúlveda, Zellnor Myrie.

Related considerations

  • Related and companion bills exist in prior sessions (e.g., A 5535 and other bills listed as companions or related). This bill specifically addresses the transfer of disciplinary records from nonpublic to public schools.
  • The bill emphasizes notification to parents/adult students while removing the necessity of parental consent for sharing the disciplinary records with the receiving public school district.

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

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