This bill (S 2578) requires New Jersey's four-year public colleges to waive all tuition and fees for the spouse or dependent child of a disabled veteran who meets specific conditions. To qualify, the student must be accepted and enrolled as an undergraduate, apply for all available state and federal grants/scholarships, and apply for VA tuition benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The state will reimburse institutions for the waived costs. It applies to disabled veterans certified by the VA as having a total, permanent service-connected disability.
New Jersey's S 1650 creates a program to reimburse school districts for costs incurred when expanding local food sourcing beyond current levels for students. It directly affects eligible school districts participating in state meal programs (like National School Lunch) that submit plans to increase local food procurement - such as adding more locally grown fruits, vegetables, or meats - above their baseline levels. The bill appropriates $4.5 million annually to cover "eligible costs" like new sourcing efforts, excluding fluid dairy milk and routine procurement at existing levels. Reimbursements are distributed via the Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Fund, administered by the Department of Agriculture. This policy change aims to strengthen local food systems in schools while clarifying what costs qualify for funding.
This bill (S 2717) changes how New Jersey school boards handle nonrenewal of nontenured staff contracts (like teachers or administrators without tenure). It replaces informal "Donaldson hearings" with a formal hearing process, requiring school boards to hold written hearings where staff can present their case. Key provisions include: requiring boards to provide written decisions detailing facts and reasoning, mandating staff submit supporting materials 3 days before hearings, requiring the board attorney’s presence, and setting rules for remote hearings (like keeping video on during proceedings). The bill directly affects nontenured school staff facing nonrenewal and the school boards making those decisions.
This bill creates a four-year grant program administered by New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to fund partnerships between school districts and other entities. It directly affects county vocational school districts and other school districts operating approved career and technical education (CTE) programs, enabling them to partner with urban districts, county colleges, or employers to develop new CTE programs in existing facilities not owned by the applicant district. Key provisions require grant applications to detail partnership structures, student capacity, facility suitability, costs, and sustainability plans beyond the grant period. The program will be evaluated after four years, with a report to the Governor and Legislature recommending permanent funding if successful. The bill expands eligibility beyond previous programs by allowing any school district with approved CTE programs to apply, not just vocational districts.
This bill prohibits New Jersey colleges and universities from requiring students to receive or provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination for enrollment, class attendance, or participation in institution-sponsored programs. It directly affects all students at higher education institutions within New Jersey. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, removing vaccination requirements as a condition for student access to education and campus activities.
S 505 requires New Jersey's Attorney General, working with the Department of Education, to provide annual emergency training to all public and nonpublic school staff and students. The training covers roles during school emergencies like lockdowns, active shooter incidents, and bomb threats, focusing on preparation before, during, and after events. It mandates face-to-face regional sessions plus online access, including instruction on incident command systems and response protocols beyond standard lockdowns. The Department of Education must distribute an annual calendar detailing training dates, locations, and online resources for schools.
This bill would allow New Jersey teachers and school aides to deduct up to $250 annually from their state taxes for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses. Eligible educators include K-12 teachers, counselors, principals, and paraprofessionals (like classroom aides) who work at least 900 hours yearly in public or private New Jersey schools. The deduction covers books, computers, software, and teaching materials, but excludes health/physical education supplies. It mirrors a federal tax provision and applies to taxable years starting after enactment. The bill directly affects qualifying school staff by reducing their state tax burden for essential classroom costs.
This bill prohibits New Jersey public colleges and universities from raising tuition for in-state undergraduate students during their first four years of enrollment. It directly affects resident undergraduates at institutions like Rutgers or NJIT, freezing their tuition rates for the duration of their standard four-year program. For students in longer programs (e.g., engineering or architecture), the freeze applies for the full time required to graduate. The policy takes effect immediately for students enrolling after the bill's passage.
This bill establishes a four-year summer pilot program for rising kindergarten students in New Jersey who meet specific eligibility criteria. It targets low-income students (family income at or below 85% of state median) and those who did not attend full-year preschool, need academic support, or belong to priority groups like English language learners or homeless children. Participating school districts must offer a six-week summer program focused on language, literacy, and math, plus family support resources. The program will be funded through a new state education fund, with participating districts required to report on outcomes to determine potential expansion.
S 175 establishes an Anti-Bullying Youth Council composed of 21 student members (appointed by county school superintendents from public and nonpublic middle/high schools) and 4 nonvoting legislative advisors. The council’s primary role is to research bullying issues in schools, provide youth perspectives, and make specific policy recommendations to the existing Anti-Bullying Task Force. It must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, including public recommendations online, and expire when the Task Force ends. The bill directly affects students in New Jersey schools by creating a formal channel for their input on anti-bullying efforts.
