This bill clarifies how payments are made for non-resident students enrolled in New Jersey's Renaissance School projects, which are publicly funded schools operated by nonprofit entities. It requires the home school district of each non-resident student to pay 95% of the district's per-pupil expenditure to the nonprofit entity running the school, along with specific categorical aid and federal funds. The legislation also maintains that Renaissance schools must meet standard public school testing requirements and prohibits for-profit entities from operating them, while allowing the nonprofit operator to retain certain business entities for staffing and management purposes.
This bill designates December 18 of each year as "New Jersey History Day" to honor the state's role in American history and encourage civic engagement. It requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation for the day and allows school districts to observe it through activities like lessons on local history, student projects, and visits to historic sites. To support these efforts, the New Jersey Historical Commission will create educational resources, promote participation, and offer grants to schools and community groups.
This bill allows school districts in New Jersey to use leftover state funding for nonpublic school nursing services to pay for security services, and vice versa. Currently, districts must return any unused money from these specific programs to the state after the school year ends. The change permits districts to apply unspent funds from one program toward the costs of the other before a refund is required. This adjustment provides districts with more flexibility in managing state aid allocated for student safety and health care in private schools.
This New Jersey bill (S 2962) gives educational support professionals (like cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and administrative staff) who served in the U.S. military and qualify for VA benefits up to four years of seniority credit. The credit counts military service completed before or during their school district employment, treating it as equivalent to actual work time for seniority purposes. It expands an existing benefit currently only available to teaching staff. The policy takes effect immediately upon enactment.
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.
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.
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.
S 1370 requires that all new flooring installed in schools (K-12 public or private) and licensed child care centers must be certified by the manufacturer as mercury-free before a construction permit can be issued. This applies to any new construction, repair, or upgrade of flooring in these facilities. Manufacturers falsely claiming mercury-free flooring face civil penalties of $10,000 for a first offense and $25,000 for repeat violations. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Education (DOE) to create and distribute annual guidelines for school districts and colleges. The guidelines must include research-backed materials on vaping's health risks (lung effects, mental health, comparison to smoking, dangers to pregnant people and children), age-appropriate anti-vaping campaigns, decision-making tools to resist peer pressure, and promotional materials for students from middle school through college. Schools and colleges must use these guidelines to implement campus anti-vaping programs. The DOH and DOE will update the guidelines yearly and post them online with additional resources.
This bill requires the president of every public college or university in New Jersey to create a menstrual equity plan. The plan must outline how the institution will provide free menstrual products to students and staff, including estimates of need, distribution locations, costs, and a timeline for full implementation within 12 months. Once developed, the plan must be submitted to the institution's governing body, the Governor, and the Legislature. The law defines menstrual equity as ensuring equal access to menstrual hygiene products while reducing stigma around menstruation.
