Requires DOE to maintain list of textbook vendors that use inclusive material and school districts to use textbooks from those vendors.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education (DOE) to create and maintain a public list of textbook vendors whose materials include "inclusive content" - defined as accurate portrayals of diversity in areas like race, gender, disability, and sexual orientation. School districts must select new textbooks only from vendors on this DOE-listed roster when purchasing for the first time. Exceptions allow districts to request commissioner approval for non-listed vendors, and the rule doesn't apply to textbooks from the state's existing textbook bank or for damaged/lost books needing replacement. The policy directly affects all New Jersey public school districts purchasing new textbooks.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026
Last action Jan 13, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
0
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee
upper
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Teresa Ruiz
DDemocratic
Co
Shirley Turner
DDemocratic
Co
Vin Gopal
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about S 2196
Scope: NJ
Hi! I can help you understand S 2196. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline