Education

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 18, 2026

A 3882: Requires public schools to post link to subsidized school meals application, and certain informational videos related to application, in prominent place on Internet website.*

This bill requires all New Jersey public schools to prominently display a direct link to the subsidized school meals application on their official websites. It directly affects public schools by adding this website posting requirement to existing rules about meal applications. The key provision mandates that schools place the link in a visible location on their internet sites, making it easier for families to access the application. This change aims to improve accessibility to school meal programs without altering eligibility rules or funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates visible website links for school meal applications, directly improving family access to nutritional programs in K-12 schools.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 15, 2026

A 5254: "Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act"; prohibits harassment or bullying of nonpublic school students and requires nonpublic schools to adopt anti-harassment and bullying policy.

This bill, known as the "Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act," aims to stop harassment and bullying in nonpublic schools by requiring these institutions to create and share clear anti-bullying policies. It defines bullying to include cyberbullying and covers incidents that happen on school grounds, during school events, or online if they threaten a student's safety or well-being. Under the new rules, schools must investigate any reported incidents within five days, document their findings, and take immediate steps to protect victims, while staff members are required to report witnessed or heard bullying promptly. The legislation also ensures that anyone who reports bullying in good faith is kept safe and clarifies that these protections do not limit rights to free speech or religious expression.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates anti-bullying policies to protect student safety and well-being, directly supporting educational access and student welfare.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 15, 2026

A 5085: Establishes pilot program in certain counties to provide funding for nonpublic school nursing services through county consortium of nonpublic schools.

This bill creates a three-year pilot program in large New Jersey counties to allow nonpublic schools to receive nursing services through a new county-wide consortium. Under the plan, school districts would transfer existing state funding for nonpublic nursing aid to this consortium, which would then contract with providers to deliver care to students at participating private schools. The legislation establishes specific rules for schools to join the program, requires independent annual audits of the consortium's performance, and mandates a review after two years to determine if the pilot should be expanded statewide.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides funding for nursing services in nonpublic schools, enhancing student health access and educational support.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a pilot program to fund nursing services for nonpublic school students, increasing access to healthcare.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 15, 2026

A 3881: Requires Commissioner of Education to take certain action concerning preliminary State school aid notices and school district budgets and creates New Jersey Education Funding Portal; modifies certain provisions in school funding law.

This bill requires the New Jersey Commissioner of Education to provide school districts with two key notices annually: a preliminary notice of the minimum state aid amount due for the next school year (by the end of the first week in December, starting 2026) and a maximum aid notice within two days of the Governor's budget message. It mandates the creation of a New Jersey Education Funding Portal to centralize these notices, along with district-specific adequacy budgets and projected local funding rates. The bill also modifies how state aid is calculated, requiring the use of budget year pupil counts with adjustments for actual counts in the following school year. These changes directly affect all New Jersey public school districts by improving the transparency and timing of funding information for budget planning.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates timely funding notices and creates a centralized portal for school aid, improving transparency and planning for districts - strengthening educational funding administration.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 15, 2026

A 2042: Requires Commissioner of Education to develop guidance on accommodations for certain students fasting for religious or medical reasons.*

This bill allows public high school students observing Ramadan to substitute required physical education classes with an instructional course or study hall during the marking period containing Ramadan. Students must provide written notice to their principal before schedule creation, and the substitute must award the same graduation credits as physical education. It also permits student-athletes to be excused from sports, intramural, or cheerleading programs during Ramadan by submitting written notice to their coach, with coaches prohibited from penalizing such absences. The bill takes effect immediately for the first full academic year after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows religious accommodation in curriculum, expanding educational access for students observing Ramadan by substituting PE with equivalent credit courses.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 15, 2026

A 4236: Designates accounting as STEM subject for various educational and other programs.

This New Jersey bill amends state law to officially include accounting as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subject for educational programs. It updates two existing statutes - specifically P.L.2021, c.76 and P.L.2021, c.239 - to add "accounting" to the definition of STEM fields. This change expands eligibility for state-funded initiatives supporting underrepresented students (such as women and minorities) in higher education recruitment and K-12 outreach programs focused on STEM careers. The bill does not create new programs but adjusts statutory language to ensure accounting degrees and careers qualify for existing STEM-related support.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands STEM eligibility for underrepresented students in state-funded programs, strengthening educational access and participation in STEM fields.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 15, 2026

S 1340: Requires Commissioner of Education to develop guidance on accommodations for certain students fasting for religious or medical reasons.*

This bill allows public high school students in New Jersey who observe Ramadan to opt out of required physical education classes and sports participation during the holy month. Students may substitute PE with an instructional course or study hall (earning equivalent graduation credits) by submitting written notice to their principal before scheduling. Student-athletes may also be excused from sports or cheerleading programs by notifying their coach, with coaches prohibited from penalizing such absences. The policy specifically accommodates Muslim students' religious obligation to fast during Ramadan, without exempting them from other required health education courses.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables religious accommodation in PE/sports, allowing students to meet graduation requirements via alternatives, expanding educational access and inclusivity for observant students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 5206: Establishes additional procedures for financial oversight and reporting to ensure fiscal stability of school districts.

This bill requires New Jersey school districts to implement stricter monthly financial checks and reporting to maintain fiscal stability. It mandates that administrators reconcile bank accounts and verify that payroll spending matches approved staffing levels and budgets. School business administrators must certify the accuracy of these reports, while secretaries must provide detailed financial summaries to the board of education each month. The legislation also establishes a process for documenting and resolving any discrepancies found during these reviews.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill strengthens fiscal management by enforcing stricter financial oversight, reconciliation, and reporting to ensure school district stability.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens fiscal stability and oversight in school districts, protecting resources and ensuring proper fund usage for education.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 5208: Establishes certain mechanisms to address significant unanticipated cost increases experienced by school districts.

This bill allows New Jersey school districts to create and fund specific reserve accounts to handle unexpected financial burdens. It enables districts to move unspent money from the current year into reserve funds that can be used in future years for capital projects, maintenance, debt repayment, or emergency expenses. Additionally, the bill establishes a new cost stabilization reserve to cover significant increases in non-salary costs, such as healthcare and transportation, which can be funded at any time during the school year. These measures are designed to give school boards more flexibility to manage sudden cost spikes without immediately raising taxes or cutting essential services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill strengthens fiscal management by allowing school districts to create reserve accounts for unexpected costs, promoting financial stability and responsible budgeting.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes reserve accounts to help school districts manage unexpected costs, thereby protecting and strengthening financial stability for K-12 education.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 5205: Establishes certain valuation and reporting mechanisms related to school district liabilities for certain accumulated unused leave.

This bill establishes new financial reserve accounts for New Jersey school districts to manage liabilities related to accumulated unused leave. It allows districts to set aside funds specifically for paying out sick and vacation leave when employees retire or leave their jobs, using either annual budgets or unspent funds from the current year. The legislation also creates three other reserve accounts for emergency expenses, debt repayment, and federal impact aid, while updating rules on how districts can transfer unspent money to these reserves. Ultimately, the bill provides a structured way for school boards to save money in advance to cover future employee leave costs without relying solely on current operating budgets.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes financial reserve accounts to manage liabilities and fund essential school district obligations, promoting fiscal responsibility.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates financial reserves to ensure districts can pay employee leave benefits, protecting school budgets and teacher compensation stability.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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