Education

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 8, 2026

A 1492: Requires Secretary of Agriculture to establish Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Grant Program to reimburse school districts for costs expended in sourcing and procuring local foods for students; appropriates $4,500,000.

This bill creates a $4.5 million grant program to reimburse New Jersey school districts for costs incurred when expanding their procurement of locally grown food for students. It directly affects eligible school districts participating in federal meal programs (like National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs), requiring them to submit plans for new or expanded local food sourcing beyond current baseline levels. The program reimburses documented costs for minimally processed local foods (like fruits, vegetables, or grains grown in New Jersey), excluding fluid dairy milk. School districts must implement new policies to increase local food access during school meals or summer programs to qualify for reimbursement.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $4.5M grant to reimburse schools for local food procurement, directly enhancing school meal programs and student nutrition within educational funding framework.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 18, 2026

A 2135: Requires institutions of higher education to collect and report employment data for certain graduates.

This bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities to collect and publicly report employment outcomes and earnings data for recent graduates using the state's statewide data system. It directly affects all public and private post-secondary institutions in New Jersey by mandating they post this information on their websites, disaggregated by factors like race, income, and gender. Key provisions include annual updates to a "student consumer information report" covering employment data for the three most recent graduation years, alongside other metrics like graduation rates and costs. Institutions must also provide physical copies with admission applications and link to a state-maintained comparative profile. The goal is to give prospective students and families transparent, data-driven insights about post-graduation outcomes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates transparency in graduate employment data to inform student choices, enhancing educational access and accountability in higher education.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 1646: Establishes timelines for review and approval by Commissioner of Education of annual certified audits submitted by approved private schools for students with disabilities.

This bill sets strict deadlines for the New Jersey Commissioner of Education to review annual audits submitted by Approved Private Schools for Students with Disabilities (APSSDs). For audits submitted after the bill's effective date, the Commissioner must complete the review within seven years of submission; for older audits, the deadline is seven years after submission or two years after the bill's effective date (whichever is later). If the Commissioner misses these deadlines, the audit is automatically approved, preventing indefinite delays that previously disrupted school district budgeting and created unfair financial penalties for APSSDs. The bill directly affects APSSDs and the school districts that fund them through tuition payments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures timely review of audits for private schools serving disabled students, preventing delays that could disrupt educational services. Protects access to approved programs for students with disabilities.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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

A 1212: Modifies matching grant criteria for New Jersey Better Educational Savings Trust accounts.

This bill modifies New Jersey's NJBEST educational savings program to expand eligibility for matching grants. Taxpayers with gross income of $75,000 or less who open an NJBEST account will now qualify for a dollar-for-dollar match on **all initial deposits** (not just the first deposit), up to a total $750 grant. The change clarifies that all initial contributions to the account - within the $750 cap - will be matched, whereas current law only referenced "the initial deposit." It directly affects low-to-moderate-income New Jersey residents opening these accounts for education savings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief for lower-income taxpayers ($75k income cap) via expanded matching grants on educational savings, directly advancing fiscal support for middle/lower income households.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands NJBEST matching grants to all initial deposits for low-income families, increasing educational savings access and funding support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 23, 2026

A 1514: Requires new flooring for schools, community centers, and child care centers to be certified mercury-free.

This bill requires new flooring installations in schools, community centers, and licensed child care centers to be certified mercury-free by the manufacturer. It applies to all facilities using identified mercury-risk flooring materials, including existing buildings where such flooring was installed before current occupancy. Key provisions mandate certification for permits, require air quality testing if mercury is detected, and obligate owners to implement mitigation or remove unsafe flooring within six months if tests exceed safety thresholds. Violations by manufacturers issuing false certifications carry civil penalties of $10,000 for first offenses.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires mercury-free flooring in schools, improving safety and infrastructure - directly advancing school environmental health standards.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates mercury-free flooring certification to prevent toxic mercury pollution in public facilities, directly advancing environmental protection through pollution control.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill reduces mercury exposure in public facilities, preventing health risks like neurological damage - directly protecting public health through environmental safety measures.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires mercury-free flooring certification in facilities where workers are present, directly improving workplace safety standards by preventing hazardous exposure.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 9, 2026

A 1315: Modifies collective statewide transfer agreement and reverse transfer agreement; establishes New Jersey Transfer Ombudsperson within Office of Secretary of Higher Education.

This bill (A 1315) establishes standardized credit transfer policies between New Jersey's public colleges and universities. It requires all public institutions to create a statewide transfer agreement ensuring general education credits and associate degrees transfer seamlessly to four-year programs, and a reverse transfer agreement allowing students enrolled at four-year schools to earn associate degrees from community colleges for credits completed there. The bill creates a new "New Jersey Transfer Ombudsperson" within the Higher Education office to resolve disputes over credit transfers and monitor compliance. It directly affects public colleges, students transferring between institutions, and community colleges offering associate degrees. The bill is pending before the Assembly Higher Education Committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes standardized credit transfer policies to streamline degree progression and expand access to higher education through seamless transfer agreements and reverse transfer options.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2534: Establishes Jersey Strong Public Service Scholarship Program.

This bill creates the Jersey Strong Public Service Scholarship Program to help students working in critical public service roles. It provides scholarships covering up to $25,000 for two years (after one year of employment) or $50,000 for four years (after two years of employment) at New Jersey public colleges or universities. Eligible students must be NJ residents, U.S. citizens, employed full-time in designated sectors like hospitals, schools, or first responder roles, and meet income and academic requirements. The program requires repayment of funds if a student withdraws without approved reasons or is dismissed from school.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for public service scholarships, increasing government spending on essential workforce programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides scholarships for students in public service roles (including schools) to attend NJ public colleges, expanding higher education access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1319: Requires public institution of higher education to adopt withdrawal policy permitting refund for certain extenuating circumstances.

New Jersey bill A1319 requires public colleges and universities to create a student withdrawal policy allowing refunds for specific serious personal situations. It mandates that institutions define "extenuating circumstances" (including illness, injury, hospitalization, and mental health issues) and refund tuition/fees if these circumstances prevent a student from receiving education during a semester. The policy must also provide proportional refunds for unused room and board charges and clarify that financial aid refunds follow existing state and federal rules. This policy applies to all public higher education institutions in New Jersey starting with the first full academic year after the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires refunds for extenuating circumstances, protecting student access to higher education by reducing financial barriers during crises like illness or mental health issues.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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