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Committee clears bill to let public report anonymous school‑safety tips to AG's office
Summary
A1792 would have the attorney general, with the New Jersey Education and Law Enforcement Working Group, establish an anonymous reporting program for threats and unsafe activity in schools; witnesses urged close coordination with the Department of Education to avoid routing and training gaps.
The Assembly Education Committee voted to release Assembly bill A1792, which directs the attorney general, in consultation with the New Jersey Education and Law Enforcement Working Group, to establish an anonymous reporting program for unsafe, potentially harmful, violent or criminal activity in schools and to provide training on awareness and appropriate response to tips to public and nonpublic schools.
Jenny Lamon, assistant director of government relations for the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, told the committee she supports the bill but urged sponsors to work with the Department of Education to ensure systems are aligned and not siloed. Lamon said states with similar hotlines sometimes saw tip lines routed to the attorney general's office for matters such as harassment (HIB) or weather emergencies, and she urged clearer routing and training protocols.
Betsy Ginsberg, executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, also supported the bill and said the working group structure, which includes DOE representation, helps address coordination concerns.
The clerk recorded a motion to amend and release A1792; the committee held a roll-call vote and the bill was advanced. No implementation timeline or detailed training plan was included in the hearing record; witnesses and committee members emphasized the need for interagency coordination as the bill proceeds.
