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.
S 2226 requires children under age 6 entering public preschools, public schools, or Head Start programs for the first time to have a comprehensive eye exam completed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist by January 1 of their initial enrollment year. Schools must collect proof of the exam from parents, and the state will maintain a list of low-cost or free exam resources for families on its website and provide it to schools. A new "Comprehensive Eye Examination Fund" will cover exam costs for uninsured children or those without healthcare coverage. The bill is pending in the Senate Education Committee after being introduced on January 13, 2026.
This bill changes how New Jersey public school teachers' pensions are calculated by requiring pay for extracurricular activities (such as coaching sports, directing performances, or supervising clubs) to be included in the "compensation" used for Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) calculations. It directly affects teachers whose pensions are based on TPAF, ensuring that additional pay for duties beyond regular school hours is counted toward their pension benefits. The bill specifically clarifies that this includes preparation and involvement in extracurricular activities but excludes temporary duties or salary adjustments made primarily for retirement purposes. This is a technical adjustment to the pension formula, not a new benefit.
This bill requires New Jersey school districts to teach students in grades 4-12 about menstrual toxic shock syndrome (TSS) as part of health education, covering causes, symptoms, and risk reduction. It also mandates that owners of public restrooms (with two or more toilets) in businesses like stores or offices install clear signs about TSS warning signs and risks, placed near tampon dispensers or prominently in the restroom. The state education agency must provide age-appropriate lesson materials, and the health department must create signage standards and online resources about TSS. The bill applies to public restrooms in non-school buildings (excluding elementary schools with only up to grade 5) and aims to improve public awareness of this rare but serious condition.
