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Violence, Vandalism and Substance Abuse in New Jersey Schools - 1999-2000

Public School Safety Law
(Effective October 28, 1982)

An Act concerning education, requiring the commissioner to monitor the incidence of violence in the public schools, supplementing Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes and repealing P.L.1978, c. 183 (C. 18A:4-29.1 et seq.). L.1982, c. 163.

18A:17-46. Act of violence; report by school employee; notice of action taken; annual report

 Any school employee observing or having direct knowledge from a participant or victim of an act of violence shall, in accordance with standards established by the commissioner, file a report describing the incident to the school principal in a manner prescribed by the commissioner, and copy of same shall be forwarded to the district superintendent.

The principal shall notify the district superintendent of schools of the action taken regarding the incident. Annually, at a public meeting, the superintendent of schools shall report to the board of education all acts of violence and vandalism.

L.1982, c. 163, s. 1, eff. Oct. 28, 1982.

18A:17-47. Discharge of, or discrimination against, school employee who files report

It shall be unlawful for any board of education to discharge or in any manner discriminate against a school employee as to his employment because the employee had filed a report pursuant to section 1 of this act. Any employee discriminated against shall be restored to his employment and shall be compensated by the board of education for any loss of wages arising out of the discrimination; provided, however, if the employee shall cease to be qualified to perform the duties of his employment he shall not be entitled to restoration and compensation.

L.1982, c. 163, s. 2, eff. Oct. 28, 1982.

18A:17-48. Annual report to legislature

The Commissioner of Education shall each year submit a report to the Education Committees of the Senate and General Assembly detailing the extent of violence and vandalism in the public schools and making recommendations to alleviate the problem.

L.1982, c. 163, s. 3, eff. Oct. 28, 1982.