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Bill

S 4267

Revises certain portions of law related to criminal history record check for school employees.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Vin Gopal

Expands criminal history checks to more school-associated people, raises penalties for noncompliance, and publicly flags districts failing to comply.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee
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Bill Summary · S 4267

Bill Overview

  • Bill: S 4267
  • Session: 222 (New Jersey)
  • Jurisdiction: New Jersey
  • Title: Revises certain portions of law related to criminal history record check for school employees
  • Status: Introduced May 14, 2026; referred to Senate Education Committee
  • Primary sponsor: Vin Gopal

Main Purpose and Intent

  • Strengthen and broaden criminal history record check requirements for individuals who work with or around students in educational settings.
  • Increase accountability and transparency for school boards and contractors to ensure compliance with CHRCheck requirements.
  • Enhance public disclosure of boards of education with chronic noncompliance.

Key Provisions and Changes

  1. Expansion of Covered Positions (Section 1, amending N.J.S. 18A:6-7.1 et seq.)

    • Expands the CHRCheck requirement to include any person in positions with non-incidental, regular, recurring, or unsupervised contact with pupils, or who are present on school property when pupils may be present.
    • Clarifies that school bus drivers remain subject to criminal history record requirements under applicable law.
    • Allows facilities, centers, schools, or school systems to require CHR checks for unpaid volunteers who provide services with regular contact with pupils.
    • In sending-receiving districts, the decision to require CHR checks for volunteers must be made jointly by the sending and receiving boards.

  2. Disqualification Standards (Section 1)

    • Retains permanent disqualification for individuals with certain offenses (as specified in the statute), including:
      • First- or second-degree crimes
      • Listed offenses in Title 2C (and related NJ statutes) involving drugs, violence, harm to persons, or crimes against minors, among others
      • Conspiracy or attempt to commit any enumerated offenses
    • Sets forth that convictions can be based on state or federal records.
    • Allows an individual disqualified on CHR grounds to challenge the accuracy of the record within 14 days after written notice.
    • If pending charges exist, the board must notify that the candidate is ineligible until the commissioner rules on qualification.

  3. Processing of CHR Information (Section 2, amending N.J.S. 18A:6-7.3)

    • Commissioner of Education must notify applicants in writing of qualification or disqualification after reviewing FBI and State Police CHR data.
    • If disqualified, the written notice must specify the disqualifying convictions.
    • If disqualification stands after challenge window, the commissioner informs the employing board; copies may be shared with the State Board of Examiners for applicable certificates.
    • Following qualification, the State Bureau of Identification must promptly report any charges against employees to the Commissioner; if new charges are filed, the board must notify the commissioner and take appropriate action.
    • Boards must provide status updates on final dispositions of employment within 30 days of notification of ineligibility, or the commissioner may track the disposition and request periodic explanations for delays.

  4. Penalties and Oversight (Section 3, amending N.J.S. 18A:6-7.5)

    • Fines for noncompliance increased from no more than $500 to:
      • $5,000 for the first offense
      • $10,000 for the second and each subsequent offense
    • Additional actions available to the Commissioner of Education against consistently noncompliant boards, including:
      • Appointing a state monitor and requiring corrective action plans
      • Referring noncompliant school leaders to the State Board of Examiners
      • Potential removal of board members

  5. Public Disclosure of Noncompliant Boards (New Section)

    • Requires the Commissioner of Education to identify and publicly disclose on the Department of Education website the boards of education that are consistently found noncompliant with CHRCheck requirements.
    • Annual reporting at a public State Board of Education meeting, including descriptions of violations.

  6. Effective Date

    • The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who Is Affected

  • School districts, school boards, and contracted service providers within New Jersey.
  • School employees and contractors in positions with regular, non-incidental contact with pupils or presence on school property.
  • Unpaid volunteers who provide services involving regular contact with pupils (subject to district decisions, especially in sending-receiving relationships).
  • Individuals undergoing CHR checks (applicants, current employees subject to new charges, and those under pending charges).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • CHRCheck determinations for new or ongoing employment must follow written notification by the Commissioner after review of FBI/State Police data.
  • Disqualified applicants have 14 days to challenge the CHR record’s accuracy.
  • Boards must report back to the Commissioner within 30 days after being notified of an ineligible employee; if not, the Commissioner may intervene to track final dispositions.
  • Increased penalties for noncompliance are immediate upon enactment of the bill.
  • New public disclosure requirements require annual reporting on noncompliant boards at a public meeting and online.

Potential Impacts

  • Strengthened safeguarding measures for student safety through broader CHRCheck coverage and stricter enforcement.
  • Greater accountability for school boards and contractors with higher fines and possible state oversight.
  • Enhanced transparency for the public regarding which boards are failing to comply with CHRCheck requirements.
  • Potential administrative burden on districts to expand CHR checks to more positions and to coordinate volunteer checks.

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

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