This bill mandates that all students in grades six through twelve in New Jersey public and nonpublic schools undergo a specific physical examination that includes a cardiac component. To ensure this requirement is met, the physical must be performed by a licensed healthcare professional who has completed specialized training to recognize signs of heart disease and abnormalities. Schools are required to keep a signed form from the provider confirming that this specific training was completed before the student can participate in school activities. The law takes effect immediately and applies to the 2023-2024 school year, expanding upon existing rules that already require similar exams for student athletes.
This bill allows school districts in New Jersey to use leftover state funding for nonpublic school nursing services to pay for security services, and vice versa. Currently, districts must return any unused money from these specific programs to the state after the school year ends. The legislation changes this rule by permitting districts to apply unspent funds from one program toward the costs of the other if they have excess money in one category. This adjustment gives districts more flexibility in managing their budgets for both nursing and security needs without requiring an immediate refund of unexpended aid.
This bill allows school districts in New Jersey to use leftover state funding for nonpublic school nursing services to pay for security services, and vice versa. Currently, districts must return any unused money from these specific programs to the state after the school year ends. The change permits districts to apply unspent funds from one program toward the costs of the other before a refund is required. This adjustment provides districts with more flexibility in managing state aid allocated for student safety and health care in private schools.
This bill allows school districts in New Jersey to count days of virtual or remote instruction toward the mandatory 180-day school year requirement when schools are closed due to emergencies or public health directives. It applies to public schools, charter schools, and private schools serving students with disabilities, ensuring that remote learning can fulfill attendance and graduation requirements if approved by the state commissioner. Under the new rules, districts must submit their remote instruction plans for approval within 30 days of a closure, or the commissioner may grant retroactive approval if the district cannot meet the initial deadline. The legislation also requires the commissioner to provide guidance on technical access for students without internet, the length of remote learning days, and how these changes affect school meals and standardized testing. Additionally, the superintendent gains the authority to implement remote instruction plans during emergencies after consulting with the school board.
This bill creates a three-year pilot program in large New Jersey counties to allow nonpublic schools to receive nursing services through a new county-wide consortium. Under the plan, school districts would transfer existing state funding for nonpublic nursing aid to this consortium, which would then contract with providers to deliver care to students at participating private schools. The legislation establishes specific rules for schools to join the program, requires independent annual audits of the consortium's performance, and mandates a review after two years to determine if the pilot should be expanded statewide.
This bill requires New Jersey school districts to classify student illnesses as excused absences, provided parents or guardians submit supporting documentation when the student returns. To ensure consistency, the State Commissioner of Education will work with the Commissioner of Health to create specific guidelines defining what constitutes a valid illness and what types of proof schools may request. The law applies to all school districts in the state and takes effect at the start of the first full school year following its enactment.
This bill requires school districts in New Jersey to officially classify student absences due to illness as excused. To qualify, parents or guardians must provide supporting documentation to the school when the student returns. Additionally, the state's Commissioner of Education will work with health officials to create specific guidelines outlining what documentation is needed. The law applies to all public school districts and takes effect at the start of the next full school year after it is passed.
This bill designates October of each year as "Walk to School Month" to encourage physical activity and community safety. It does not change laws or funding but asks the Governor to issue an annual proclamation inviting schools, organizations, and citizens to hold events promoting walking and biking to school. The resolution highlights benefits such as improved health, reduced air pollution, and safer streets, while urging communities to plan safe routes for students.
This bill allocates up to $25 million from the Property Tax Relief Fund to help certain New Jersey school districts cover rising health care costs. To qualify, a district must be spending below an adequacy threshold, have used its maximum allowable tax levy increase for the 2026-2027 school year, and lack available tax cap reserves. Eligible districts will receive a share of the funds based on their proportionate contribution to the statewide increase in health care costs.
This bill allocates up to $50 million from the Property Tax Relief Fund to help school districts cover tax increases caused by rising health care costs. To qualify, a district must have seen its adjusted tax levy rise by more than 9.9 percent between the 2024-2025 and 2026-2027 school years. The specific amount each eligible district receives is calculated based on its proportional share of the statewide increase in health care expenses. This measure aims to offset the financial burden on taxpayers resulting from a significant allowable adjustment to property taxes for health care purposes.
