New Jersey school security camera law

What does the New Jersey law require?

For new school construction and existing school buildings, a district or the Schools Development Authority (the state agency that builds many school facilities) "shall" carry out a list of security measures. One measure is to "use surveillance cameras as a target-hardening tool" (a tool that makes a building harder to attack). That item names no location, number of cameras or coverage area. Another is to use an access control system with remote unlocking, an intercom, and "fixed cameras at the school's main entrance and for other entrances as funding permits." Another is to provide a dedicated server and generator for security systems such as access control and surveillance cameras. The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Schools Development Authority, may revise the architectural design standards for new school construction. This law, P.L.2016, c.79, was approved December 5, 2016.

Can police see school camera video?

If at least one school building in a district has video surveillance that can stream live video wirelessly to a remote location, the board of education must sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU, a written agreement) with local law enforcement. The MOU gives law enforcement the capacity to activate the equipment and view live streaming video. It must name the individuals allowed to view live video and the circumstances under which they would view it. It must include a detailed plan for preventing and detecting unauthorized access to live video. Where the town has no municipal police department, the board signs the MOU with an entity the Superintendent of State Police designates. If the two sides cannot agree on a required term, the county prosecutor makes the final call. Boards had to sign the MOU within 180 days of the law taking effect. The law does not require schools to install cameras that can stream live video. It was enacted as P.L.2017, c.119 (Senate bill S742), approved July 21, 2017. Separately, state rules require district policies to include a memorandum of agreement with law enforcement in the format set by the Attorney General and the Commissioner.

Is school camera footage a public record?

New Jersey's Open Public Records Act (OPRA) excludes security alarm system activity and access reports, including video footage, for any public building, unless the request names a specific incident or a specific date and limited time period, and release would not compromise the system. OPRA also excludes security measures and surveillance techniques that would create a safety risk if disclosed.

How can schools pay for cameras?

A board's current expense emergency reserve may be used to finance school security improvements. Those improvements may include security cameras to monitor the school. State school-facilities bond money may be used for a school facilities project designed to improve school security. Nonpublic school security aid pays for "security services, equipment, or technology" and names no specific item such as cameras.

What bills are pending?

Victoria's Law (A5378) would require audio-capable cameras for each school with a classroom where most students get special education, spend at least half the day there, and cannot communicate effectively because of speech or language delays. It would cover school districts and charter and renaissance schools. The cameras would cover all areas of the classroom but could not record the inside of a bathroom or changing area, and would record audio from the whole classroom. Schools would give written notice to staff and parents before turning a camera on, and keep the video at least three months. Recordings would be confidential, with viewing allowed only for those the bill lists, including a law enforcement officer. A5378 was introduced and sent to the Assembly Education Committee; its Senate version, S4763, went to the Senate Education Committee. S4649 would also require audio-capable cameras for certain special-education classrooms in districts and charter schools; it was sent to the Senate Education Committee. A1323 would require boards that use surveillance systems with artificial intelligence capabilities to adopt a policy on their use and post signs saying such a system is in use. That policy would have to follow the live-video MOU law, and the bill would also cover charter and renaissance schools. A1323 passed the Assembly 78-1-0 on February 24, 2026, and was sent to the Senate Education Committee. S3883, the Senate version of that policy bill, was sent to the Senate Education Committee. A similar bill from the last session, A4639, did not pass either house. A4147 would remove "as funding permits" from the entrance camera item; it was introduced February 19, 2026, and sent to the Assembly Education Committee.