O’SCANLON INTRODUCES BILL TO PROTECT SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS’ FREEDOM OF SPEECH

April 14, 2026

Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) introduced legislation that clarifies the “School Ethics Act” cannot be used to prohibit or limit a board of education member from speaking, including on social media, on matters of public concern.

“When we start telling elected officials they cannot speak openly with the very people they were chosen to represent, we’re not promoting ethics, we’re eroding transparency,” said Sen. O’Scanlon. “If we continue down a path where public officials are discouraged or prohibited from speaking candidly, trust will only disintegrate.”

Sen. O’Scanlon is introducing this legislation following reports highlighting how New Jersey’s “School Ethics Act” may be used to chill free speech among elected board members.

“My legislation makes it clear that school board members do not surrender their First Amendment rights when they take office. In fact, we’d be better off if more elected officials engaged with their constituents without fear of crossing some vague or overreaching line.”

You can read a draft of the bill, S-4091, here.