This bill reinstates an annual sales tax exemption for specific school and recreational items purchased by individuals for non-business use. It exempts computers under $3,000, school computer supplies under $1,000, school supplies (like notebooks and art materials), school instructional materials (textbooks, workbooks), and sport/recreation equipment (gloves, skates, etc.) during a defined 10-day period each year. The exemption period runs from 12:01 a.m. on the ninth day before the first Monday in September through 11:59 p.m. on that Monday. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment and applies to sales during exemption periods starting at least 30 days after enactment.
This bill requires New Jersey's four-year public universities to create and update annual plans ensuring student access to reproductive health services, including referrals for contraception (including emergency contraception), STI testing/treatment, prenatal care, and abortion. It mandates 24-hour access to over-the-counter contraception via campus vending machines, retail, or health centers, plus evidence-based education. County colleges must develop referral networks to local providers for off-campus reproductive care. The law does not require institutions to directly provide services but sets specific access requirements, effective seven months after enactment.
This bill requires New Jersey school boards to give hiring preference to veterans for teaching positions when veterans are equally qualified as other candidates in all measurable criteria. It directly affects veterans seeking teaching jobs in public school districts across New Jersey, ensuring they receive priority consideration under this standard. The preference does not apply in school districts using New Jersey's Civil Service system (Title 11A), which follows separate hiring rules for classified positions. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.
This bill requires school bus drivers, aides, and personnel to call 911 during potential life-threatening emergencies involving students. It also mandates that school buses transporting students with disabilities be equipped with specific safety features (though the exact features are not detailed in the provided text). The bill updates training requirements to include recognizing life-threatening emergencies and proper procedures for students with disabilities, requiring twice-yearly training and certification for all personnel. These changes apply to school bus contractors and school districts in New Jersey, with implementation tied to a pending training program update. The bill includes funding (an appropriation) for these requirements.
This bill establishes a one-time $5 million grant program to help 10 specific New Jersey school districts implement free, full-day kindergarten programs. It directly affects districts that currently do not offer such programs, including Moorestown, Haddonfield, Metuchen, Monroe Township, Millstone, the Chathams, Bridgewater-Raritan, Hillsborough, Cranford, and Westfield. School districts must submit applications detailing their implementation plans and cost estimates to receive a grant, with funds distributed evenly among approved applicants. The program appropriates $5 million from the General Fund to cover these implementation costs.
This bill equalizes retirement benefits for New Jersey teachers by removing tiered membership in the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF). It moves all current non-retired TPAF members to the same benefit tier as those who joined before July 2007, and requires enrollment of public school employees meeting salary but not hour requirements. Educators in the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) can automatically transfer service credit to TPAF (without transferring contributions), with an opt-out option within six months. It also expands disability retirement eligibility for current long-term disability recipients, requiring applications within two years of enactment.
This New Jersey bill establishes the Safe Remote Learning Program within the Department of Education to support public schools (including charter and renaissance schools) providing remote instruction due to the pandemic. It requires schools to set up facilities meeting health/safety standards, equipped with necessary technology (like connected devices and internet access), and staffed during all hours. The state will reimburse schools for facility costs using federal pandemic relief funds first, then state funds if needed. Schools must prioritize student access for those eligible for free meals or with essential worker parents, and allow nearby facility access if space is limited.
S 2320 establishes the Jersey Strong Public Service Scholarship Program, providing financial aid to New Jersey residents working in public service fields facing critical workforce shortages (such as healthcare, education, or emergency services). Eligible students must work full-time in these sectors for 1-2 years before receiving scholarships covering tuition and fees up to $25,000 for two years or $50,000 for four years at public New Jersey colleges. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents, U.S. citizens, recent high school graduates, and employed in approved roles at minimum wage or higher. The program requires students to apply for other aid first and maintain academic progress, with scholarships terminating if they withdraw without approved reasons.
This bill requires New Jersey high school districts (grades 9-12) to add mandatory instruction about compulsive gambling risks to their health and physical education curriculum. The content must cover gambling addiction dangers, financial risks, and probability concepts. The state education commissioner must provide student resources and develop teacher training on identifying gambling issues and treatment options. Implementation begins in the school year after the commissioner completes the training module and updates the state education standards.
This bill establishes New Jersey's "Students with Communication Disabilities' Bill of Rights," requiring school districts to ensure students with communication disabilities (affecting speech, hearing, or vision) receive tailored support. It mandates schools provide early screening, trained assistants using a student's preferred communication method (like sign language or AAC devices), and communication plans in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Schools must also guarantee full access to all educational activities - from classrooms to extracurriculars - and ensure parents receive linguistic support. The law aligns with existing federal protections under the ADA and IDEA but codifies specific school district obligations.
