§ 18A:17-43.5 — Alignment of threat assessment team policy.

New Jersey § 18A:17-43.5

• Jurisdiction: New Jersey
• Title 18A: EDUCATION

Text

2. a. Any policy developed by a school district, charter school or renaissance school project concerning the establishment of a threat assessment team, required pursuant to section 1 of this act, shall be aligned with guidelines developed by the Department of Education pursuant to section 3 of this act and shall include, but need not be limited to: (1) guidance for students, teachers, and all school staff regarding the recognition of threatening or aberrant behavior in a student that may represent a threat to the school community; (2) the designation of members of the school community to whom threatening behavior shall be reported; (3) the development and implementation of policies concerning the assessment and intervention of students whose behavior poses a threat to the safety of the school community, and appropriate actions to be taken, including available social, developmental, and law enforcement resources, for students whose behavior is identified as posing a threat to the safety of the school community; (4) coordination and consultation with the school safety specialist designated pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2017, c.162 (C.18A:17-43.3); and (5) a policy that the threat assessment team shall not disclose or disseminate any information obtained during their assessment beyond the purpose for which the information was provided to the threat assessment team, except that the threat assessment team is authorized to disclose the information to applicable agencies to pursue appropriate action pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection for any student whose behavior is identified as posing a threat to the safety of the school community. b. When assessing a student whose behavior may pose a threat to the safety of the school community, in the case of a student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan, the threat assessment team shall consult with the IEP team or 504 team to determine whether the aberrant behavior is a threat to school safety and is being properly addressed in a manner that is required by N.J.A.C.6A:14 and all federal and State special education laws. c. Each member of the threat assessment team shall participate in training provided by the school safety specialist designated pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2017, c.162 (C.18A:17-43.3) that is consistent with the guidelines developed by the department pursuant to section 3 of this act to ensure that the threat assessment team is able to accurately assess student behavior and to ensure that threat assessment teams do not have a disparate impact on students based on their race, ethnicity, homelessness status, religious belief, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. The training shall, at a minimum, include training on adverse childhood experiences, childhood trauma, cultural competency, and implicit bias. L.2022, c.83, s.2.