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Bill

Bill

A 4246

Requires school districts to include instruction on bullying awareness and prevention as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Shanique Speight

Requires all NJ K-12 schools to integrate age-appropriate bullying awareness and prevention into health/PE, including cyberbullying, resources, and consequences.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee
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Bill Summary · A 4246

Overview

A 4246 (New Jersey, 2022-23 Session 222) intends to mandate that every school district in New Jersey include age-appropriate bullying awareness and prevention education for students from preschool through 12th grade. This education would be integrated into districts’ implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. The bill emphasizes awareness of bullying definitions, types, online harassment (cyberbullying), help-seeking resources, and consequences for perpetrators, with a focus on reducing bullying through sensitivity to diversity and inclusion. The New Jersey Department of Education would supply districts with sample activities and resources. The act would take effect immediately but apply to the first full school year after enactment.

Purpose and Intent

  • Ensure school districts provide systematic bullying prevention education as part of health and physical education.
  • Increase student awareness of what constitutes bullying and the harms it causes, including online behavior.
  • Promote understanding of the long-term consequences for perpetrators, including disciplinary and criminal implications.
  • Foster sensitivity to diversity, addressing how bullying can be exacerbated by intolerance toward people of different races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, genders or gender identities, abilities, or other distinguishing characteristics.
  • Provide districts with ready-made, age-appropriate instructional activities and resources to support implementation.

Key Provisions

  • Mandatory Scope: Education on bullying awareness and prevention must be included for all students in grades preschool through 12 as part of Comprehensive Health and Physical Education, aligned with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
  • Content Requirements: Instruction shall cover:
    • Definitions of bullying
    • Types of bullying (physical, verbal, social, cyberbullying)
    • The permanence and impact of online posts and online harassment
    • Ways to seek help for oneself or others affected by bullying
    • Potential consequences for the bully, including school disciplinary actions and criminal consequences with long-term implications
  • Diversity and Inclusion: Curriculum design should develop awareness and sensitivity to how bullying can be worsened by intolerance toward diverse groups (races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, genders/gender identities, abilities, and other distinguishing characteristics).
  • Educational Resources: The Commissioner of Education must provide school districts with age-appropriate sample learning activities and resources to support implementation.
  • Effective Date: The act takes effect immediately and applies starting with the first full school year following enactment.

Who Is Affected

  • All New Jersey public school districts (presumably including charter schools that follow state standards) and students from preschool through 12th grade.
  • Educators and district curriculum planners responsible for health and physical education instruction.
  • The New Jersey Department of Education (for development and dissemination of sample activities and resources).

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Introduction: Bill introduced February 19, 2026; referred to Assembly Education Committee.
  • Effective Date: Immediate effect for legislative purposes, with applicability beginning in the first full school year after enactment.
  • Implementation: Districts must integrate the mandated content as part of their existing health and physical education instruction; the Department of Education will provide resources to aid implementation.

Potential Impacts

  • Standardized approach to bullying prevention education across districts.
  • Enhanced student awareness of bullying dynamics and online safety.
  • Clear articulation of consequences for bullying behaviors to deter violations.
  • Resource support from the state to facilitate curriculum development and consistency.
  • Possible need for teacher training and scheduling adjustments to accommodate the new instruction within health and physical education programs.

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

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