Establishes limits on transcript release restrictions at institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions.
This bill prohibits New Jersey higher education and proprietary institutions from withholding student transcripts due to debts under $2,000 for non-mandatory charges (like activity fees). It requires institutions to release transcripts for transfer, graduate programs, or employment purposes regardless of such small debts, but allows them to require repayment plans for larger debts (over $2,000) or mandatory fees (tuition, room/board). Institutions cannot charge extra fees for transcripts or use transcript issuance to collect debt. Students needing transcripts for new or refinanced student loans cannot have their transcripts restricted. The law applies only to students residing in the U.S.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2024
Committee Review
Feb 2025
General Assembly Passage
Dec 2024
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
Governor
Introduced May 2, 2024
Last action Jan 12, 2026
Floor votes · General Assembly Dec 19, 2024
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
8
Key actions
5
Committee
3
Amendments
1
Jan 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Passed Both Houses) (39-0)
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Senate Committee, 2nd Reading
upper
Jan 14, 2025
Committee
Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee
upper
Dec 19, 2024
Lower · Passed
Passed Assembly (71-0-2)
lower
Oct 28, 2024
Lower · Passed
Assembly Floor Amendment Passed (Wimberly)
lower
Sep 23, 2024
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
lower
May 2, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee
lower
5 primary · 8 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Andrew Zwicker
DDemocratic
P
Benjie Wimberly
DDemocratic
P
Linda Carter
DDemocratic
P
Shirley Turner
DDemocratic
P
Verlina Reynolds-Jackson
DDemocratic
Co
Carmen Morales
DDemocratic
Co
Chris Tully
DDemocratic
Co
Ellen Park
DDemocratic
Co
Gabe Rodriguez
DDemocratic
Co
Garnet Hall
DDemocratic
Co
Lisa Swain
DDemocratic
Co
Rosy Bagolie
DDemocratic
Co
Shanique Speight
DDemocratic
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