Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2104: Extends requirements on use of restraint and seclusion to all students; requires immediate parental notification; requires DOE to collect and report data regarding use of restraint and seclusion on students.

This bill (S 2104) expands New Jersey's existing restrictions on physical restraint and seclusion in schools to apply to **all students**, not just those with disabilities. It requires schools to **notify parents immediately** (via phone/electronic message) when restraint or seclusion is used, followed by a written report within 48 hours, and to hold meetings if a student is subjected to these methods repeatedly. Schools must also **collect detailed data** on all incidents (including duration, type, and student demographics like race, gender, and disability type) and submit it annually to the Department of Education (DOE), which will publish the data publicly. The bill aims to increase transparency and safety by mandating consistent monitoring, documentation, and data-driven review of restraint/seclusion use across all public schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands student safety protections by requiring restraint/seclusion restrictions for all students, immediate parent notification, and data reporting, strengthening school safety policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2188: Expands category of nonresident children who school district may enroll without payment of tuition.

This bill (S 2188) aims to expand the categories of nonresident children that New Jersey school districts may enroll without requiring tuition payments. It amends existing law to broaden eligibility for tuition-free enrollment, directly affecting nonresident families seeking school placements in New Jersey districts. The bill's text provided focuses on defining terms like "at-risk pupils" and "district income" but does not specify the new category or exact enrollment mechanisms. Key policy changes cannot be detailed from the truncated context, as the substantive expansion of the nonresident enrollment category is not described in the provided text. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Education Committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by enabling more nonresident children to enroll tuition-free in NJ school districts, directly increasing school accessibility for underserved families.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationExpands tuition-free school access for nonresident children, providing educational services to immigrant families without financial barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3129: Establishes Co-Curricular Activity Emergency Grant Program to support operations of co-curricular activities at public schools; appropriates $750,000.

S 3129 creates a $750,000 emergency grant program within New Jersey's Department of Education to support public school co-curricular activities, such as debate clubs, theater, and music programs, which operate outside regular school hours and supplement students' academic experiences. School districts, charter schools, and renaissance schools can apply for grants to fund specific activities, with priority given to those most impacted by pandemic-related revenue losses. The program requires applicants to specify which activities the funds will support, and the Commissioner of Education determines grant amounts and eligibility. This legislation directly affects public schools and their students by providing emergency financial support for non-academic, extracurricular programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $750,000 to fund public school co-curricular programs, directly increasing state budget allocation for public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $750,000 emergency grants for public school co-curricular activities (debate, theater, music), directly funding K-12 student programs and supplementing academic experiences.95% confidence

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2193: Requires school districts to employ at least one certified nutrition specialist, registered dietitian, or registered dietitian nutritionist.

This bill requires New Jersey school districts to hire at least one full- or part-time certified nutrition specialist, registered dietitian, or registered dietitian nutritionist. It directly affects school districts (which must comply with staffing requirements) and students (who gain access to nutrition expertise). The key mechanism is a mandatory staffing provision, effective three school years after enactment. The bill cites CDC research linking student nutrition (e.g., intake of fruits, vegetables, and key nutrients) to academic performance, attendance, and grades, positioning nutrition staff as a tool to support these outcomes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates certified nutrition staff in schools to improve student nutrition per CDC research, directly advancing school health and learning environment standards.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school nutrition specialists to improve student health access via public health programs, aligning with healthcare topic indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 371: Establishes "The CAMPUS Act: Combating Antisemitism to Mitigate Prejudice in Universities and Schools"; addresses instruction on antisemitism and antisemitic harassment, intimidation, and bullying in public schools.

This bill requires New Jersey public schools and colleges to adopt policies explicitly prohibiting antisemitic harassment, intimidation, and bullying, with clear definitions and disciplinary actions like suspension or expulsion for violations. It mandates Holocaust and antisemitism education in K-12 curricula, including lessons on recent antisemitic incidents and the consequences of prejudice. Schools must also provide guidelines distinguishing lawful protests from prohibited conduct, such as vandalism, obstruction, or affiliation with groups like Hamas. The law applies to all public educational institutions in New Jersey, effective upon implementation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates Holocaust and antisemitism education in K-12 curricula, directly enhancing educational content to address prejudice and harassment in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Safety

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 824: Requires institutions of higher education to provide greater assistance to certain students with military obligations.

This bill requires New Jersey public and independent colleges to provide specific academic accommodations for students serving in the military (active duty, National Guard, or Reserve). It gives these students options like pass/fail grades, incompletes, or course withdrawals without academic penalty if military duties interfere with classes. Institutions must create clear policies, notify students of their rights, and develop academic contracts with professors to address missed coursework. Additionally, colleges must accept up to 30 credits for undergraduate and 12 for graduate programs based on military training evaluations. The bill directly affects military-affiliated students and all New Jersey higher education institutions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires higher ed institutions to provide academic accommodations for military students, ensuring educational access without penalty and protecting their academic standing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 253: Broadens definition of "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" in Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act.

This bill (S 253) amends New Jersey's Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act to broaden the definition of "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" by explicitly adding "gender identity and expression" and "mental, physical or sensory disability" to the list of protected characteristics. It directly affects all New Jersey public schools, requiring them to address bullying incidents motivated by these characteristics under the expanded definition. The change ensures schools must now consider these factors when investigating and reporting bullying, aligning with existing requirements to disaggregate data by race, gender, sexual orientation, and other categories. This policy update standardizes how schools identify and respond to bullying across all protected groups.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands anti-bullying protections in schools to include gender identity, expression, and disabilities, promoting inclusive educational environments and student safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1195: Requires school buses transporting students with special needs to be equipped with certain safety features.

This bill requires all school buses transporting students with special needs in New Jersey to install two safety features: (1) an electronic seat belt alert system that audibly and visually notifies drivers if any seat belt is unfastened during motion, and (2) unique barcodes on the bus interior/exterior that drivers scan after trips to confirm no students were left behind. It directly affects school bus operators and drivers serving special needs students. The Commissioner of Education will develop implementation rules with the Motor Vehicle Commission, and the law takes effect six months after enactment. The bill aims to prevent accidents and ensure student safety during transportation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires safety features for special needs student transportation, enhancing student safety and access to education as part of school operations.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates safety features (seat belt alerts, barcode checks) for school buses, directly enhancing transportation safety standards for special needs students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Public Transit Traffic Safety

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2265: Requires Secretary of Higher Education and public institutions of higher education to develop programs for improving Hispanic and Latino representation in higher education leadership positions.

This bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to increase Hispanic and Latino representation in leadership roles. It mandates the Secretary of Higher Education to create leadership development programs for Hispanic/Latino faculty, expand pathways for students into academic careers, and develop institutional strategies to address barriers in recruitment and retention. Public institutions must adopt diversity-focused policies for leadership search committees and submit annual reports tracking leadership demographics and program effectiveness. These requirements apply to all 11 public institutions of higher education in New Jersey, with implementation deadlines within 180 days of guidance issuance.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates programs to increase Hispanic/Latino leadership representation in higher education, advancing educational equity and access through targeted diversity initiatives.95% confidence

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1934: Regulates the authority of the court to make provision for the educational expenses of an unemancipated child in certain instances involving child support.

This bill (S 1934) clarifies that New Jersey courts must consider post-high school educational expenses when determining child support for unemancipated children. It specifically adds "higher education factors" to the list of considerations courts must weigh, including a child's need for college and the parents' financial capacity. The bill does not create new funding but requires courts to account for foreseeable college costs in support orders. It directly affects parents obligated to pay child support and courts handling those cases. The change applies only to children who have not become legally independent (e.g., due to disability or ongoing education).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires courts to include higher education costs in child support, expanding access to college for unemancipated children by mandating consideration of post-high school expenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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