Tracking Discipline and Reporting – S-1020 was signed, requiring New Jersey school districts to collect and report data on suspension and other disciplinary actions. Each district must now collect and report school-level demographic breakdown of students who receive disciplinary actions including students who are expelled suspended or otherwise disciplined, and must include race, gender, disability status, grade level. The law further requires the Commissioner of Education to establish Statewide database concerning certain disciplinary actions. Click here to read the bill.
Special Education Unit in OAL – S-2160/A-5701 was signed, creating a special education unit within the Office of Administrative Law (OAL). Because special education is procedurally complex, many OAL judges do not have specific expertise or knowledge of special education law. In addition, the number of special education cases before OAL had created a backlog of cases, often in violation of state and federal timelines. This bill is intended to address the backlog and delays at OAL in handling special education matters and help ensure that judges who hear cases have experience and training in special education law. Click here to read the bill.
College Centers for Students with Disabilities – S-4211/A-6228 was signed, establishing county college-based adult centers for transition for individuals with developmental disabilities and makes annual appropriation of $4.5 million. County college-based adult centers must now coordinate and integrate existing county and State-based services, programs, and resources; and ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities up to the age of 24 have opportunities to receive mentoring, job coaching, skill training, and any other appropriate wrap-around services to help them make a successful transition into employment and independent living, as appropriate. The law allows the county colleges to receive funds from the State and federal governments or private individuals, corporations, associations, or college foundations to meet the expenses of the new transition centers. Click here to read the bill.
Accessible School Websites – A-4856/S-3094 was signed, requiring websites and web services of school districts, charter schools, renaissance schools, and the Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf to be accessible to persons with disabilities. Click here to read the bill.
