Legislation that seeks to improve transparency about schools’ health and sex education curriculum advanced through an Assembly committee Thursday, despite criticism that it wouldn’t actually change much.
Online school days are now allowed only due to pandemic-related reasons, but a Senate committee endorsed a bill allowing them for weather and other emergencies.
Schools wouldn’t need permission from parents to conduct anonymous student surveys about health topics such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs, vaping and sexual behavior, under a bill now one vote from Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk.
Assemblyman Herb Conaway said vaping is harmful to health just as cigarettes are – but that while cigarettes kill people slowly over time, vaping can quickly do harm.