Tag: legislation
Governor Signs Law Establishing New Health Care Plans and Contribution Levels
On July 1, 2020, Governor Philip Murphy signed Senate Bill 2273 which requires alterations in health insurance plans and changes to school employee contributions toward the cost of health coverage. The law takes effect immediately and in some respects overrides collective negotiations agreement provisions. The new law will impact negotiations, budgeting and insurance benefit planning. Key components include: Establishment of New Jersey Educators Health Plan (“NJEHP”) by the School Employees’ Health Benefit Program (“SEHBP”) for the 2021 plan year and creation of an equivalent plan by non-SEHBP school districts; Establishment of a less costly Garden State Health Plan (“GSHP”) by the […]
New Law Permitting Remote Instruction Also Requires Payment of Compensation and Benefits to School Employees and Other Entities
Editor: Sanmathi (Sanu) Dev, Esq. On April 14, 2020, Governor Murphy signed A3904/S2337 into law which permits use of virtual and remote instruction to meet the minimum 180 day school year requirement. The new law does not stop there. The law requires payment of benefits, compensation and emoluments to school employees as if school remained open during the school closure (irrespective of whether employees are covered by a collective negotiations agreement) and to a contract service provider pursuant to the terms of the contract in effect prior to the school closure as if the services had been provided. Additionally, A3904 […]
New Statute Requires Schools to Provide Meal Distribution or Meal Vouchers during COVID-19 Closures to Students Eligible for Free & Reduced Price Lunches
Editor: Sanmathi (Sanu) Dev, Esq. On Friday, March 20, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed into law a new bill, A-3840, to ensure the continuation of meal distribution to some of New Jersey’s most at-risk students as the State provides support to help local communities work through the COVID-19 pandemic. The statute, now P.L. 2020, c. 6, requires local school districts to provide for meal distribution or a meal voucher program during the period of school closure due to the COVID-19 epidemic for those students who are eligible to receive free and reduced price lunches. The act takes effect immediately. Under […]
Subcontracting Restrictions and Changes in Health Insurance Plans and Employee Contributions Likely Coming Very Soon
On March 19, 2020, the Senate approved two significant bills stemming from Senator Sweeney’s deal with the New Jersey Education Association (“NJEA”). One bill requires alterations in health insurance plans and modifications to employee contributions to the cost of health coverage. The other bill places restrictions on the ability of certain employers, including a school district, to subcontract work of employees in a collective bargaining unit. While not enacted yet, both pieces of legislation appear to be on the fast track to approval. If enacted, they will take effect immediately. Key components of the bill altering health insurance and employee […]
Legislature Revises Requirements for Use of Restraints on Disabled Students
Educational facilities, including public school districts, may use physical restraints to support students with disabilities experiencing significant behavioral difficulties. Such interventions must be implemented by trained personnel. On January 8, 2018, the New Jersey Legislature approved Senate Bill 1163, which updated the requirements for use of restraints on students with disabilities in school districts, educational services commissions, and approved private schools for students with disabilities. As a threshold matter, physical restraint is defined as the “use of a personal restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a student to move all or a portion of his or her body.” […]
Governor Signs Law Expanding Voting Rights for Sending School Districts
By: Robert A. Muccilli, Esq. Editor: Sanmathi (Sanu) Dev, Esq. For years, sending school districts have felt left out of many important decisions made by the receiving districts to which they send their students and to which they pay tuition. That will no longer be the case under a new law signed by Governor Christie on July 21, 2017 (S. Res. 3191, 217th Leg., 2d Sess. (N.J. 2017)) which greatly expands the voting rights of sending districts. Representative of sending districts are no longer limited to voting on tuition, certain bill lists or contracts, new capital construction to be utilized by […]
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