S 3115 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Permits certain noncitizen teachers to be eligible for tenure.

S 3115 allows noncitizen teachers holding special teaching certificates to become eligible for tenure in New Jersey public schools. Currently, noncitizens with these certificates can teach but cannot earn tenure, which protects teachers from dismissal without cause. The bill removes this citizenship barrier by amending law to let qualifying noncitizen teachers meet tenure requirements under existing rules (N.J.S.18A:28-5), including counting prior teaching service toward tenure eligibility. It also repeals two sections that previously blocked noncitizen tenure. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
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
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Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Benjie Wimberly
Benjie Wimberly
DDemocratic
NJ
35