NJ S2945

Establishes an 11-member task force to examine, evaluate, and make recommendations regarding discipline policies and practices in New Jersey public schools, including racial disparities in implementation

Task force members include the Commissioner of Education, Director of the Division on Civil Rights, representatives from education associations (School Boards, NJEA, Principals, Administrators, AFT, Charter Schools), and public members with expertise in school discipline

Requires examination of discipline practices including in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, expulsion, physical restraint, and seclusion techniques, with focus on disproportionate impacts by race including preschool suspensions

Mandates study of federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Education and Department of Justice, including the 2014 Dear Colleague Letter on Nondiscriminatory Administration of School Discipline

Task force must issue a final report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 12 months of organizing, after which it expires 30 days later