New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Task Force will host two public hearings, one in-person and one virtual session, to provide families, students, educators, and other stakeholders the opportunity to share their experiences regarding the implementation of the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act in New Jersey schools.

The Anti-Bullying Task Force is charged with examining the impact of New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act and making recommendations for improving the way that harassment, intimidation, and bullying is addressed in schools. As part of this process, the task force is holding public hearings to receive feedback from residents and will issue a final report of its findings and recommendations.

“New Jersey’s groundbreaking anti-bullying laws and programs are widely considered to be among the most comprehensive in the nation, but our efforts are part of an ongoing commitment to continual improvement,” said Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, Acting Commissioner of Education. “The input of people who have been most affected by bullying is crucial to inform the work of the task force. The recommendations of the task force, in turn, can help provide policymakers and legislators the direction needed to ensure students have access to a safe and supportive learning environment.”

The task force has reviewed statutes, regulations, and the reports of the 2012-2016 Anti-Bullying Task Force. In addition to reviewing research and facilitating public hearings, the task force will continue to gather information and insight to inform their work.

“The Anti-Bullying Task Force is centered around the issue of providing welcoming, inclusive, and safe school spaces for all students in New Jersey,” said Anti-Bullying Task Force Chairperson Shannon Cuttle, director of NJ Safe Schools Coalition and Safe Schools Action Network. “We look forward to hearing from families and students during the public hearings so that their voices are represented in this process.”

Between the 2018-19 and 2021-22 school years, the state’s public schools saw a 12% increase in confirmed bullying incidents, part of a larger trend in student misbehavior seen statewide in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Individuals who are interested in providing public testimony may register for one of the hearings listed below.

Registration is required. It is recommended that any person seeking to provide public testimony also submit a written statement by emailing ABTF2023@doe.nj.gov. Any person who is unable to participate in a live hearing may also use that email to submit written testimony, or for other questions related to the testimony.

The task force is expected to issue its final report to the Governor and Legislature by the end of the year.

Registration information is as follows:
In-Person Hearing
Date: October 4, 2023, 5-7 p.m.
Location: New Jersey Department of Education, 100 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, New Jersey
Attendees must sign-up in advance by submitting Registration Form by October 2, 2023.
Virtual Hearing
Date: October 5, 2023, 5-7 p.m.
Virtual Meeting via Microsoft Teams. A link will be emailed to registrants prior to the hearing.
Attendees must sign-up in advance by submitting a Registration Form by October 2, 2023.