Education in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2524: Requires Commissioner of Education to review school safety and security plans.

This bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to submit their current school safety and security plans to the Commissioner of Education within six months of the bill taking effect. The Commissioner must review each plan against specific criteria, including emergency notification lists, staff emergency roles, building access policies, bullying prevention efforts, hazard analysis, active shooter protocols, and crisis communication plans. After review, the Commissioner will provide each district with a written report detailing weaknesses and recommended solutions. Within three years, the Commissioner must also submit a statewide summary report to the Governor and Legislature, aggregating findings without disclosing individual district details. The bill does not change existing requirements but mandates a standardized state-level review process for school safety plans.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1146: Allows gross income tax deduction for up to $1,200 of unreimbursed expenses incurred by eligible educators for purchase of classroom supplies.

This bill (S 1146) allows eligible K-12 teachers in New Jersey to deduct up to $1,200 annually from their gross income tax for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses. It directly affects public and nonpublic school teachers who personally pay for items like books, pencils, computers, lab equipment, and other daily classroom materials. The deduction applies to expenses not covered by the school district, with the $1,200 limit capping the tax benefit. The policy takes effect for taxable years beginning after the bill’s enactment date.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Income Tax K-12 Education Teachers

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1497: Authorizes State employees to take administrative leave days in observance of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha; requires school districts to permit students excused absences for observance of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

S 1497 requires New Jersey state employees (including those at Rutgers and other public universities) to be granted one additional administrative leave day per year for each of the religious holidays Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, without using their regular leave allotment. It also mandates that public school districts record absences for these holidays as excused for all students. The bill ensures students absent for these observances cannot be penalized academically (e.g., lose awards or test opportunities) if a parent/guardian provides written notice, and excludes these absences from transcripts or employment forms. These provisions make Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha official excused religious holidays for both state workers and public school students in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3092: Requires certain school districts to hold annual, multi-day program on bullying prevention and intervention.

This bill requires all New Jersey school districts serving grades 4-12 to hold an annual, multi-day bullying prevention program lasting three to five days. The program must provide age-appropriate sessions for students covering topics like cyberbullying prevention, bystander intervention, empathy, and conflict resolution, with all students required to attend sessions matching their grade level. Districts must also provide staff training on bullying prevention as part of this program, and may use the new "Bullying Prevention Fund" (created by this bill) to secure grants for implementation if resources are lacking. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner of Education withholding state aid from the district.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1859: Upgrades domestic violence-related assault under certain circumstances.

This bill (S 1859) amends New Jersey's assault statute to upgrade certain assaults to "aggravated assault" when committed against specific professionals. It directly affects individuals like firefighters, school staff (teachers, administrators, bus drivers), healthcare workers, and emergency medical personnel when they are attacked while performing their duties. The key provision adds these groups to the list of protected individuals under aggravated assault, increasing penalties for assaults targeting them. The change applies to attacks occurring during work, whether the attacker recognizes the victim's professional role or not. This is a policy adjustment to strengthen legal protections for public safety and service workers.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 543: Establishes "School Bus Safety and Child Protection Act," requires periodic criminal background checks for certain school employees; and prohibits interference with school bus monitoring devices.

This bill (S 543, "School Bus Safety and Child Protection Act") requires nonpublic schools and charter schools receiving state/federal funds to conduct criminal background checks every four years for school bus drivers, aides, and other staff with regular student contact. It also prohibits tampering with school bus monitoring devices, making it a crime to disable cameras or recording equipment. The law applies specifically to positions involving student interaction, such as bus drivers, security, and maintenance staff in eligible schools. Schools must verify candidates have no disqualifying criminal history per public school standards before hiring and annually notify the state if charges arise against employees.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Public Transit

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2190: Revises certain requirements concerning graduation proficiency test and eliminates requirement that graduation proficiency test be administered to eleventh grade students.

This bill eliminates the requirement that New Jersey's high school graduation proficiency test be administered to 11th grade students. It revises existing law to remove the specific mandate for testing 11th graders, while maintaining the requirement for students to demonstrate proficiency through other means to graduate. The change directly affects current 11th grade students and future cohorts, removing a standardized test requirement they previously had to take. The bill focuses on modifying assessment administration timing without altering the overall graduation proficiency standards.

Topics ✗ Education

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Testing & Assessment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 816: Extends eligibility for tuition benefit to dependents of members of United States Armed Forces who died while on active duty.

This bill extends New Jersey's tuition benefit to children and surviving spouses of U.S. Armed Forces members who died while on active duty (previously limited to New Jersey National Guard members). It allows eligible dependents to attend public colleges tuition-free for up to 16 credits per semester, subject to applying for all other available state, federal, and VA education benefits first. Additionally, it provides a new monetary award equal to 10% of tuition costs for non-tuition expenses like housing, meals, or supplies. The benefit applies to public institutions listed in state law and takes effect immediately for the next academic year.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 840: "Student-Parent Protection Act"; ensures equal rights and opportunities for parenting students enrolled in institutions of higher education.

This bill, the "Student-Parent Protection Act," protects parenting students in New Jersey higher education institutions. It prohibits schools from requiring students to withdraw, take leave, or limit studies solely due to parenting, pregnancy, or pregnancy-related issues. Schools must provide reasonable accommodations (like makeup work, flexible scheduling, or excused absences for medical needs) and create written anti-discrimination policies that are posted online and distributed at orientations. The law defines "parenting students" as those enrolled in higher education who are parents or legal guardians of children under 18.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 506: Requires public school student with concussion to be evaluated by physician or other licensed health care provider before return to school and return to physical activity at school.

S 506 requires public school students in New Jersey who sustain a concussion to receive an evaluation and written clearance from a physician or licensed health care provider trained in concussion management before returning to school or participating in any physical activity at school (including recess, physical education, or sports). The bill mandates that school districts implement any restrictions recommended by the physician through their 504 team and notify all relevant staff. It prohibits students from engaging in physical activities until they have the required clearance. This bill directly affects all public school students in New Jersey who experience concussions and requires school districts to follow specific health protocols.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

All education bills