N.J. Stat. tit. 18A, ch. 41

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 18A:41-1 Fire, school security drills.

18A:41-1. Every principal of a school of two or more rooms, or of a school of one room when located above the first story of a building, shall have at least one fire drill and one school security drill each month within the school hours, including any summer months during which the school is open for instructional programs. Employees of the school district or receiving school, whether occupying buildings of one or more stories, shall keep all exterior doors and exits locked at all times except when necessary to comply with the requirements set forth in the Uniform Fire Code, including applicable requirements during an emergency lockdown or an emergency lockdown drill. All students and staff shall fully participate in each drill conducted to the greatest extent practicable and, when appropriate, utilize procedures for assisting in the rescue of persons unable to use the general means of egress to ensure that participation does not pose a safety risk. Where school buildings have been provided with fire escapes, they shall be used by a part or all of the pupils performing every fire drill. An actual school security emergency that occurs at a school during the month that includes activities which are the equivalent of a drill shall be considered a school security drill for the purposes of meeting the requirements of this section. A law enforcement officer shall be present at a minimum of one school security drill in each school year in order to make recommendations on any improvements or changes to school security drill procedures that the officer may deem advisable. amended 2007, c.205; 2009, c.178, s.4; 2016, c.80, s.1; 2023, c.212, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:41-2 Fire and smoke doors closed

Every principal and janitor of a school building having furnace room, hallway, or stair-tower fire or smoke doors shall keep them closed during the time the building is occupied by teachers and pupils. L.1967, c.271.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:41-3 Violations; misdemeanors

Any principal, teacher, or janitor failing to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punishable by a fine of not to exceed $100.00 for each offense L.1967, c.271.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:41-4 Posting copies of chapter

The commissioner shall prepare and have printed in proper form copies of this chapter and cause them to be posted in each school building. L.1967, c.271.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:41-5 Notification

Each school district shall immediately notify the appropriate local fire department of any fire which occurs in a school building or on school property. The local fire department shall forward the data to the bureau of fire safety in the Department of Community Affairs. L. 1989, c. 42, s. 2.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:41-6 "School security drill" defined.

1. As used in this act: "School security drill" means an exercise, other than a fire drill, to practice procedures that respond to an emergency situation including, but not limited to, a bomb threat, non-fire evacuation, lockdown, or active shooter situation and that is similar in duration to a fire drill. L.2009, c.178, s.1; amended 2016, c.80, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:41-7 Provision of training on school safety, security.

2. a. A local board of education, chief school administrator of a receiving school, and chief school administrator of a nonpublic school shall ensure that all full-time employees in the district, receiving school, or nonpublic school are provided with training on school safety and security that includes instruction on school security drills. The training shall model the training provided by the New Jersey School Safety Specialist Academy established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2017, c.162 (C.18A:17-43.2), use the drill guide and training materials prepared pursuant to section 3 of P.L.2009, c.178 (C.App.A:9-86), and utilize various formats such as drills, functional exercises, and tabletop exercises. The annual training provided to employees shall be conducted by the district, receiving school, or nonpublic school in consultation with emergency responders, including law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services personnel, in order to identify weaknesses in school safety and security policies and procedures and to increase the effectiveness of emergency responders. b. A local board of education, chief school administrator of a receiving school, and chief school administrator of a nonpublic school shall ensure that individuals employed in the school district, receiving school, or nonpublic school in a substitute capacity are provided with information and training on the district's, receiving school's, or nonpublic school's practices and procedures on school safety and security including instruction on school security drills, evacuation procedures, and emergency response protocols in the school district, receiving school, or nonpublic school and the school building where the individuals are employed. In the event that an individual is employed in a substitute capacity in the district, receiving school, or nonpublic school at the time the school safety and security training is being provided to full-time employees pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the district, receiving school, or nonpublic school shall include the individual in the training. c. A local board of education, chief school administrator of a receiving school, and chief school administrator of a nonpublic school shall provide, to the extent permitted by federal law, to all persons who supervise youth programs that are not sponsored by the school district, receiving school, or nonpublic school, but operate a program in a district, receiving school, or nonpublic school building before or after school hours, on the weekend, or during a period when school is not in session, information on school district, receiving school, or nonpublic school practices and procedures in the event of a school safety or security incident at a school including non-confidential information on evacuation procedures, emergency response protocols, and emergency contact information. The information provided to persons who supervise youth programs pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall not include student records. It shall be the responsibility of the organization that sponsors the youth program to train the program's employees and volunteers on the school security and emergency procedures in effect in the school building in which the youth program is located. The organization that sponsors the youth program shall file a statement of assurance with the school district superintendent, chief school administrator of the receiving school, or chief school administrator of the nonpublic school that it has complied with the training requirements prior to the district, receiving school, or nonpublic school authorizing the use of the school building. The statement of assurance shall be developed by the Commissioner of Education and shall be filed with the school district, receiving school, or nonpublic school on an annual basis. d. Any information or training provided pursuant to this section shall address the unique needs of students with disabilities in the event of a fire drill, school security drill, or actual emergency situation. An employee subject to the provisions of subsections a. or b. of this section shall be made aware of any anticipated mobility, sensory, medical, social, communication, emotional, regulatory, and decision-making support needs of students in the care of the employee and any supports, modifications, accommodations, and services to be provided to students, as enumerated in their individualized education programs, individualized health care plans, 504 plans, or service plans pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2023, c.212 (C.18A:46-2.15). e. As used in this section, "receiving school" means an educational services commission, jointure commission, regional day school, county special services school district, the Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf, approved private school for students with disabilities, and public college-operated programs for students with disabilities. L.2009, c.178, s.2; amended 2016, c.80, s.3; 2019, c.480; 2023, c.212, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:41-7a School security drills, procedure.

1. a. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a school district shall ensure that a school security drill that occurs when students are present: (1) includes clear, developmentally and age-appropriate messaging to students and staff at the conclusion of the drill that the event is a drill and that no current danger exists; (2) does not expose students to content or imaging that is not developmentally or age-appropriate; (3) is paired with trauma-informed approaches to address any student inquiries or concerns which may arise as a result of a school security drill; (4) does not include the use of fake blood, real or prop firearms, or the simulations of gun shots, explosions, or other sounds or visuals that may induce panic or a traumatic response from a student or school district employee; (5) does not require a student to role play as a victim, but may include first aid training in which students participate; (6) is accessible to students with disabilities and mental health conditions, and provides all necessary accommodations for these students. b. A school district shall provide written notification to the parent or guardian of a student enrolled in the district following completion of a school security drill, which notice shall be provided to the parent or guardian by no later than the end of the school day on which the school security drill is conducted. c. A school district may permit emergency personnel access to the buildings and grounds of its schools for school security drills that are scheduled outside of school hours and during such times as students are not present. d. A school district shall review and update its school security drill procedures using a process that coincides with the review of the school safety and security plan developed pursuant to N.J.A.C.6A:16-5.1 and collects input from emergency personnel, parents and guardians of students enrolled in the district, teachers and staff employed in the district, mental health professionals, and student government representatives from multiple grade levels. e. A school district shall annually track data on such measures and information as are required by the Commissioner of Education, and shall report the data to the commissioner. L. 2021, c.365.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:41-7.1 Schools to provide critical incident mapping data to local law enforcement.

1. a. Each board of education of a school district, board of trustees of a charter school or renaissance school project, or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school shall provide to local law enforcement authorities critical incident mapping data for all schools and school grounds. In the case of a school building located in a municipality in which there is no municipal police department, critical incident mapping data shall be provided to an entity designated by the Superintendent of State Police. A board of education of a school district, board of trustees of a charter school or renaissance school project, or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school shall provide revised mapping data to the applicable law enforcement authorities or designated entities any time that there is a change to the critical incident mapping data. b. Critical incident mapping data provided pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall be: (1) compatible with all platforms and applications used by local, State, and federal law enforcement authorities; (2) provided in a printable format; and (3) verified for accuracy through an annual walkthrough of school buildings and school grounds. c. As used in this section, "critical incident mapping data" means information provided in electronic or digital form to assist first responders in an emergency including, but not limited to: (1) aerial images of schools; (2) floor plans, including room and suite numbers; (3) building access points; (4) locations of hazardous materials and utility shut-offs; and (5) any other relevant location information. d. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require local law enforcement authorities or designated entities to access critical incident mapping data using third party viewing software. L.2019, c.106, s.1; amended 2022, c.122, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:41-8 Establishment of school security position pilot program.

1. a. The Commissioner of Education shall establish a three-year pilot program that provides for the training and placement of veterans in school security positions available in school districts. The purpose of the pilot program shall be to increase school security by utilizing the skills of veterans. b. The commissioner, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall establish policies and procedures for the recruitment, selection, and training of veterans eligible to participate in the pilot program, and for matching the selected veterans to school security positions available in school districts. The policies shall evaluate the level of skills, training, experience, fitness, and other qualifications deemed necessary for a veteran to serve in a school security position. Notwithstanding the provisions of P.L.2004, c.134 (C.45:19A-1 et seq.) or P.L.2005, c.276 (C.52:17B-71.8 et al.) to the contrary, the commissioner may utilize the education and training program for security officers established pursuant to section 5 of the "Security Officer Registration Act," P.L.2004, c.134 (C.45:19A-5) or the training for safe schools resource officers and school liaisons to law enforcement developed pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2005, c.276 (C.52:17B-71.8), to train eligible veterans for school security positions under the pilot program. c. A school district that wants to participate in the pilot program shall submit an application to the commissioner in such form as required by the commissioner. The school district, as part of the application, shall include information on the security needs of the school district, the number of school security positions at each school, the rate of turnover in these positions, and other information as required by the commissioner. d. The commissioner shall select up to 12 school districts for participation in the pilot program. The commissioner shall select districts in the northern, central, and southern regions of the State and shall seek a cross section of school districts from urban, suburban, and rural areas of the State. The selected school districts may include, but shall not be limited to, Making Our Schools Safe Districts as designated under the Department of Education's Safer Schools for a Better Tomorrow initiative. In selecting the pilot school districts, the commissioner shall consider the security needs of the district as reflected in the data reported in the commissioner's annual report on violence, vandalism, and harassment, intimidation, or bullying in the public schools, as required under section 3 of P.L.1982, c.163 (C.18A:17-48). e. Three years following the establishment of the pilot program, the commissioner shall submit a report to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1). The report shall contain information on the implementation of the pilot program, the effectiveness of veterans in school security positions, and the recommendations of the commissioner and the Attorney General on the advisability of continuing, expanding, or modifying the program. L.2013, c.277, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:41-9 Access to school surveillance equipment by law enforcement authorities.

1. a. If at least one school building of a school district is equipped with video surveillance equipment that is capable of streaming live video wirelessly to a remote location, the board of education shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with local law enforcement authorities providing the authorities with the capacity to activate the equipment and view live streaming video. The memorandum of understanding shall include, but need not be limited to, the following: (1) the designation of individuals who shall be authorized to view live streaming video; (2) the circumstances under which the designated individuals would view live streaming video; and (3) a detailed plan for preventing and detecting unauthorized access to live streaming video. b. In the case of a school building that is located in a municipality in which there is no municipal police department, the board shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with an entity designated by the Superintendent of the State Police. c. In the event that the parties to the memorandum of understanding are unable to reach an agreement regarding any provision required to be included pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the county prosecutor shall make the final determination regarding that provision. d. A board shall enter into the memorandum of understanding no later than 180 days following the effective date of this act. e. Nothing in this section shall be construed as to require the installation of video surveillance equipment capable of streaming live video wirelessly to a remote site. L.2017, c.119, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:41-9.1 Protocol regarding retention of video footage from school surveillance systems.

1. a. No later than six months following the effective date of this act, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, shall develop a protocol regarding the retention of video footage from school surveillance systems. Matters to be addressed in the protocol shall include, but need not be limited to, the following: a minimum and maximum amount of time that footage may be retained; measures to be taken to limit access to the footage; and compliance with the "Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974," (20 U.S.C. s.1232g). The Attorney General shall review the protocol annually and shall revise it as necessary. b. Nothing in this act shall be construed to require a school district to install a school surveillance system. L.2019, c.47, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:41-10 Short title

1. This act shall be known and may be cited as "Alyssa's Law." L.2019, c.33, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:41-11 Equipping public and secondary schools with panic alarms or emergency mechanisms

2. a. As used in this section: "Panic alarm" means a silent security system signal generated by the manual activation of a device intended to signal a life-threatening or emergency situation requiring a response from law enforcement. b. Except as otherwise provided pursuant to subsection e. of this section, each public elementary and secondary school building shall be equipped with at least one panic alarm for use in a school security emergency including, but not limited to, a non-fire evacuation, lockdown, or active shooter situation. The alarm shall be directly linked to local law enforcement authorities or, in the case of a school building located in a municipality in which there is no municipal police department, a location designated by the Superintendent of State Police, and shall immediately transmit a signal or message to such authorities upon activation. The alarm shall not be audible within the school building. c. Each panic alarm required under this section shall adhere to nationally recognized industry standards, including the standards of the National Fire Protection Association and Underwriters Laboratories. d. Each panic alarm required under this section shall be installed solely by a person licensed to engage in the alarm business in accordance with the provisions of section 7 of P.L.1997, c.305 (C.45:5A-27). e. A school district may equip its elementary and secondary school buildings with an emergency mechanism that is an alternative to a panic alarm if the mechanism is approved by the Department of Education. L.2019, c.33, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:41-12 Funding of panic alarms or emergency mechanisms

3. A portion of the proceeds of bonds authorized to be issued to fund school security, upon voter approval of P.L.2018, c.119, shall be used to fund the full cost of the panic alarms required in public elementary and secondary school buildings in any district pursuant to section 2 of this act or alternative emergency mechanisms approved by the department pursuant to that section. A school district that, prior to the effective date of this act, installed a panic alarm or alternative emergency mechanism approved by the department may receive reimbursement for those costs. L.2019, c.33, s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:41-13 Rules, regulations

4. The New Jersey Schools Development Authority shall adopt, immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law, rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), to establish a program to effectuate the purposes of this act, which regulations shall be effective for a period not to exceed six months and may thereafter be amended, adopted or readopted by the Schools Development Authority in accordance with the requirements of P.L.1968, c.410. L.2019, c.33, s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:41-14 Annual school safety audit for each school building.

1. a. A school district and a nonpublic school shall annually conduct a school safety audit for each school building using the checklist developed by the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness in collaboration with the Department of Education pursuant to subsection b. of this section. The school district and the nonpublic school shall submit the completed audit to the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and the Department of Education. The audits shall be kept confidential and shall not be deemed a public record under P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.) or the common law concerning access to public records, but may be utilized for the purposes of allocating any State grants or loans made available for the purpose of school facility safety and security upgrades. b. The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness in collaboration with the Department of Education shall develop a comprehensive checklist of items to be reviewed and evaluated in the school safety audits conducted by school districts and nonpublic schools pursuant to subsection a. of this section. The checklist shall include items to assess the security features and security vulnerabilities of a school district's and nonpublic school's school buildings and grounds. The checklist shall also include items to assess the emergency notification systems used to facilitate notification to parents and other members of the community in the case of school emergencies. The checklist shall be reviewed annually by the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and the Department of Education and updated as appropriate. The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness in collaboration with the Department of Education shall provide technical assistance to school districts and nonpublic schools to facilitate the completion of the checklists in a uniform manner. L.2019, c.478, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:41-15 Districtwide school safety, security plan, consideration of individualized programs, plans, students with disabilities; communicating needs to third parties.

5. In developing its districtwide school safety and security plan, a school district and receiving school shall: a. demonstrate that it has considered the individual needs of each student with a disability, as enumerated in the students' individualized education programs, individualized health care plans, 504 plans, or, in the case of students with disabilities enrolled in nonpublic schools, service plans pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2023, c.212 (C.18A:46-2.15); and b. incorporate protocols into the districtwide school safety and security plan for communicating the individual needs of each student with a disability, when appropriate and in compliance with the "Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974," (20 U.S.C. s. 1232g), to third parties including, but not limited to, first responders and emergency management agencies. c. As used in this section, "receiving school" means an educational services commission, jointure commission, regional day school, county special services school district, the Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf, approved private school for students with disabilities, and public college-operated programs for students with disabilities. L.2023, c.212, s.5.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026