Requires school districts to include instruction on bullying awareness and prevention as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

A4246

ASSEMBLY, No. 4246

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 19, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman� SHANIQUE SPEIGHT

District 29 (Essex and Hudson)

SYNOPSIS

���� Requires school districts to include instruction on
bullying awareness and prevention as part of implementation of New Jersey
Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Act
concerning bullying instruction and supplementing
chapter 35 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. Each school district
shall incorporate age-appropriate bullying awareness and prevention education
in grades preschool through 12 as part of the district's implementation of the
New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical
Education.� The education shall include, but not be limited to, information on
the:

���� (1) �definitions of bullying;

���� (2) �various types of
bullying, including physical bullying, verbal bullying, social bullying, and
cyberbullying;

���� (3) �permanence of social
media posts and the harm that may be caused through online harassment or
bullying;

���� (4) �ways to seek help for
yourself or others who may be affected by bullying; and

���� (5) �potential consequences of
bullying on the perpetrator, including school disciplinary and criminal actions
with long-term implications on the perpetrator�s future.

���� The education shall be
designed to develop an awareness and sensitivity to the ways in which bullying
may be exacerbated by intolerance of persons of different races, ethnicities,
religions, sexual orientations, genders or gender identities, abilities, or who
have other distinguishing characteristics.�

���� b. �The Commissioner of
Education shall provide school districts with age-appropriate sample learning
activities and resources.�

���� 2. �This act shall take effect
immediately and shall first apply in the first full school year following the
date of enactment.�

STATEMENT

���� This bill directs each school
district to incorporate age-appropriate bullying awareness and prevention
education in grades preschool through 12 as part of the district's
implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive
Health and Physical Education.� The education is to include, but not be limited
to, information on the:

���� (1) �definitions of bullying;

���� (2) �various types of
bullying;

���� (3) �permanence of social
media posts and the harm that may be caused through online harassment or
bullying;

���� (4) �ways to seek help for
yourself or others who may be affected by bullying; and

���� (5) �potential consequences of
bullying on the perpetrator.

���� Under the bill, the education
is to be designed to develop an awareness and sensitivity to the ways in which
bullying may be exacerbated by intolerance of persons of different races,
ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, genders or gender identities,
abilities, or who have other distinguishing characteristics.� Finally, the Commissioner
of Education is required to provide school districts with age-appropriate
sample learning activities and resources.