Concerns Statewide Longitudinal Data System for Education and Workforce Development.*

This bill establishes New Jersey's State Longitudinal Data System (SLDS), a centralized data hub that collects and analyzes education and workforce data from state agencies. It directly affects state departments (like Education, Higher Education, and Labor), which will provide data to the system, and policymakers who will use the insights for decision-making. Key provisions require the system to be operated by Rutgers' Heldrich Center, mandate strict privacy safeguards (including compliance with FERPA and NIST standards), and limit data sharing to de-identified, aggregate reports. The goal is to improve evidence-based policies around workforce development, education pathways, and program effectiveness.