Education in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1999: Establishes New Jersey Higher Education Student Advisory Commission.

This bill establishes the New Jersey Higher Education Student Advisory Commission, a 15-member body composed of student representatives from all types of New Jersey colleges and universities (including public, independent, county, and proprietary institutions). The commission advises the state education secretary on student concerns and annually reports to the legislature on student perspectives, experiences, and potential policy recommendations. It creates a formal channel for student input into higher education decisions, with members appointed based on institutional representation and geographic balance. The commission does not create new policies but provides structured student feedback to state education officials and lawmakers.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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 ✓ Education

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1456: Establishes commission to advise Secretary of Higher Education on student issues of concern.

S 1456 establishes the New Jersey Higher Education Student Advisory Commission to directly advise the state's Secretary of Higher Education on student concerns. The 14-member commission includes student representatives from all major higher education sectors (state colleges, public research universities, county colleges, independent colleges, and private career colleges), appointed by the Secretary based on applications detailing campus leadership experience. The commission must address system-wide student issues like college affordability, mental health, and campus safety, and annually report its findings and recommendations to the state's Higher Education Committees. This bill creates a formal, student-driven advisory body to inform state education policy decisions.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher 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 ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education

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 ✓ Education ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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 & Taxes ✓ Education

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 ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Student Health

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 ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Safety

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 ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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 ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Safety

All education bills