Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman MARLENE CARIDE
District 36 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Requires school districts to adopt policies concerning electronic communications between employees and students.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the adoption of electronic communication policies by public school districts and supplementing chapter 36 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this section, "electronic communication" means a communication transmitted by means of an electronic device including, but not limited to, a telephone, cellular phone, computer, computer network, personal data assistant, or pager. Electronic communications include, but are not limited to, e-mails, text messages, instant messages, and communications made by means of an Internet website, including social media and social networking websites.
b. Each school district shall, within 120 days of the effective date of this act, adopt a written policy concerning electronic communications between school employees and students enrolled in the district. The policy shall include, at a minimum, provisions designed to prevent improper communications between school employees and students made via e-mail, cellular phones, social networking websites, and other Internet-based social media.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would require every public school district to adopt a written policy concerning electronic communications between school employees and students enrolled in the district. The policy must include provisions designed to prevent improper communications between school employees and students made via e-mail, cellular phones, social networking websites, and other Internet-based social media.