Measure to Create Restorative Justice in Education Pilot Programs

(TRENTON) – Working toward addressing the striking disparities found in New Jersey school discipline statistics, legislation that would create a statewide program aiming to reduce racial disparities in school discipline; improve the socio-emotional and behavioral responses of students through intervention; and decrease recidivism rates among students who violate school district code of conduct advanced in the Assembly Monday.

            The bill (A-3519) was approved by the full body, 59-13-2, during an afternoon voting session. It is sponsored by Assembly Democrats Daniel Benson, Angela McKnight and Mila Jasey.

“As school districts seek to adopt restorative justice practices, it is crucial for the state Department of Education to play a role, through this pilot, to develop best practices and provide guidance,” said Benson (D-Mercer Middlesex). “Ultimately, our goal is reduce truancy and violence in schools by ensuring groups that often are disproportionately affected by school discipline, such as racial and religious minorities, victims of school bullying and violence, as well as those living with mental illness, are seen and heard. Implementing restorative justice practices can ensure not only that discipline is more effective, but that the needs of the school community and those affected by the student’s actions are considered in any post discipline remedy.”

The bill directs the Commissioner of Education to establish a three-year “Restorative Justice in Education Pilot Program” to implement restorative justice practices in the public schools. “Restorative justice” is defined as a system of dispute resolution tools that allows all parties of a dispute to be involved in defining the harm and devising remedies while giving the necessary attention to community safety, victims’ needs, and the need for offender accountability. 

 “The joint Senate and Assembly Education Committees held hearings on school security during this session. The impact of restorative justice programs and how they can help foster safer and healthier school environments was brought to our attention,” said Jasey (D-Essex, Morris), who chairs the Assembly Higher Education Committee and sits on the Assembly Education Committee. “We have to look at redefining how we correct our children’s behavior in schools and look into alternative methods such as restorative justice practices.”

“How a child’s behavior is addressed at home and in our schools can either nurture or change the course of their future,” said McKnight (D-Hudson). “We raise a child as we want them to go, with the understanding that a mistake does not have to be repeated and it doesn’t have to chart their path in life. Restorative justice programs may be just what we need to change the startling school discipline statistics in New Jersey and create safe, positive school environments for our children and staff.”

The principal of a school selected to participate in the pilot program would be required to limit the number and duration of student expulsions and suspensions to the greatest extent practicable.  The principal must demonstrate a commitment to exhausting other forms of non-exclusionary discipline prior to using out-of-school suspensions or expulsions.  The bill further requires that a school district selected to participate must provide ongoing professional development to teachers and other staff on:

×          The adverse consequences of the exclusion of students from school and their involvement in the juvenile justice system;

×          Effective classroom management strategies; culturally responsive discipline; and

×          Developmentally appropriate disciplinary methods that promote a positive and healthy school climate.

The program would be established within 6 months of the bill’s enactment.  Selected by the Commissioner from applications received by willing school districts, five districts in each of the southern, central, and northern regions of the State would participate in the program.  The Commissioner would provide any necessary guidance, support, and training to participating schools.

The bill will now go to the Senate for final legislative review.

Measure Stems from Trenton Water Works Concerns

(TRENTON) – Ensuring municipalities are able to help quickly inform residents of boil water notices, a bill sponsored by Assembly members Dan Benson, Wayne DeAngelo and Nancy Pinkin requiring boil water notices are given to the mayor and the city clerk within one hour of testing cleared the full Assembly Monday, 74-0. It will now go to the Governor for further review.

“Residents should learn immediately of an issue with their water to take the necessary precautions for their families,” said Benson (D-Mercer, Middlesex). “The first step is supplying that information to municipal leaders to help notify families.”

This legislation (A-2423) responds to a series of issues arising from Trenton Water Works (TWW). In January 2018, the State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued four violations after the failure of a filter went undetected for more than a month. Benson and DeAngelo are sponsors of multiple bills aiming to address the concerns raised over the last year, including failing to promptly notify residents of boil water notices.

“We’ve been working to improve communication and services for water utilities not just in Trenton but throughout the state,” said DeAngelo (D-Mercer, Middlesex). “This another step in protecting public health and ensuring residents know when, and as soon as possible, there is a concern with their drinking water.”

“A municipality has a better chance of protecting their residents from problems if they are aware of the issue immediately,” said Pinkin (D-Middlesex). “This is common sense legislation that will help residents and municipalities stay informed.”

The bill would require the owner or operator of a public water system to provide notice to the mayor and municipal clerk of each municipality that receives water from the public water system when a boil water notice is in effect, regardless of whether the notice is in effect for that specific municipality.  Notifications would be made via telephone and electronic mail as soon as possible, but no later than one hour after the public water system learns of the contamination.

The notice would be in addition to any other notice required by State or federal law and would contain: name of the public water system affected; geographical area affected; date of the occurrence; consumer corrective measures to be taken; and a telephone number where customers may reach an appropriate party. Upon the boil water notice being rescinded, the bill would also require the owner or operator of the public water system to provide notice via both telephone and electronic mail to the affected municipalities.