Gov. Murphy Signs Bill Into Law That Could Make Schools Safer

Gov. Phil Murphy has signed bill into law that could make schools much safer, keeping sexual predators and child abusers away from the classrooms in what was described as "pass the trash" legislation.

And the bill would especially work to prevent teachers who were suspended or fired from one district for inappropriate behavior from working in another district.

Murphy signed a bill this week (S-414/A-3381) that requires school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and contracted service providers to review the employment history of prospective employees who will have regular contact with students.

The objective, he said, is to determine whether candidates have a history of child abuse or sexual misconduct.

Ensuring children are safe when they go to school every day "is our number one priority,” said Murphy.

Murphy said public, charter, nonpublic schools and contracted service providers must perform a detailed investigation of prior employment histories of applicants who are applying for jobs that involve regular contact with students.

"This common-sense legislation will begin to fill a serious gap in our hiring system," he said. "Parents should have the peace of mind that their children attend school in an environment in which they can safely learn, grow, thrive and succeed.”

The legislation sponsored by Sens. Joe Pennacchio and Anthony Bucco, among others, is also intended to end the practice of “passing the trash” and preventing predatory teachers from "continuing to victimize innocent kids" by applying to different schools, the lawmakers said.

Lawmakers pointed to one incident in which an ex-teacher who described herself as "mad horny" and reportedly made a sex tape with a student was later hired and fired by a New Jersey school district, various reports revealed in February.

Nadine Sudlow was hired by the Newark school district several years ago even though the New York Post's website had just published this 2015 story: "High school teacher made sex tape with student: report,"according to NJ101.5 and The Record. She had also resigned from New York City school district in 2014 once school officials learned about the relationship.

“As I’ve said all along, the safety of our students is paramount,” Pennacchio, R-Morris, said. “By enacting the ‘Pass the Trash’ law, this state is honoring its responsibility to protect innocent children from chronically-abusive teachers. I am proud that we were able to do this on a bipartisan basis with the support of the Governor. This legislation will go a long way to safeguarding students from abuse.”

Photo: Gov. Phil Murphy signing his first bill, restoring women's health care funding, in Trenton on February 21. Edwin J. Torres/Governor's Office