S-1218/A-883 prohibits the sale or distribution of food with minimal nutritional value to students in public elementary and secondary schools. The law applies to food in cafeterias, vending machines and other sources before and during school hours. Vending machines will not be permitted to contain any food or drink listing sugar in any form as their first ingredient or containing more than 8 grams of total fat, or 2 grams of saturated fat, per serving. Nuts and seeds are exempt.

NJSBA supports the legislation.

Status: Signed by the governor into law Feb. 21.

S-60/A-515 would permit community centers, schools, and other child-serving facilities to require background checks for unpaid volunteers. NJSBA supports the legislation.

Status: Passed the Senate 36-0 on Feb. 22. Now on the governor’s desk.

A-2728/S-328 would require school bus drivers to inspect their buses at the end of their routes to ensure that no students have been left on the vehicle. If a child is left on the bus, the driver’s school bus endorsement would be suspended for six months for a first offense; or permanently revoked for a second offense. If a child left on a bus is harmed and the driver acted with gross negligence, the driver would have his school bus endorsement permanently revoked on the first offense.

Status: Passed the Senate 36-0 on Feb. 22. Now on the governor’s desk.

Gov. Corzine gave S-79/A-961 a conditional veto on Jan. 29. The bill addresses emergency administration of epinephrine to students for anaphylaxis. The governor termed as overly broad a provision that would protect school employees from liability when they volunteer to help a child in need. As an alternative, Corzine recommended language similar to the Good Samaritan Law, which protects people from liability if their actions are in good faith and do not involve willful misconduct, gross negligence or recklessness.

NJSBA supports this legislation. Other provisions of S-79/A-961 would:

• Require students to be transported to a hospital emergency room after having the pen administered:
  
  
• Require the Department of Education to work with physicians to create guidelines to students’ potential exposure to allergens.

Status: The Senate concurred with the governor’s recommendations on Feb. 22. The bill now goes to Assembly for concurrence.