Education in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 19, 2026

A 4751: Revises conditions for, and permits use of, virtual or remote instruction to meet minimum 180-day school year requirement in certain circumstances.

This bill allows New Jersey school districts to count up to five days of virtual or remote instruction toward the state's minimum 180-day school year requirement when schools are closed due to inclement weather, emergencies, or public health directives. It applies to public school districts, charter schools, and other district types that receive state aid, requiring them to submit approved remote learning programs to the state commissioner for review. The legislation ensures that virtual instruction days count as full attendance days for graduation requirements and course credits, while also mandating that students with disabilities receive equivalent educational opportunities through electronic platforms. Additionally, the bill requires the commissioner to establish guidelines addressing technology access, instruction length, meal programs, and assessment scheduling for remote learning scenarios.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum Testing & Assessment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SCR 130: Urges USDA to revise 20 hour weekly work requirement for student participation in SNAP.

This bill is a concurrent resolution that urges the U.S. Department of Agriculture to revise the 20-hour weekly work requirement for college students to qualify for SNAP benefits. It directly affects college students attending institutions of higher education who currently must meet this work requirement to receive nutritional assistance. The resolution requests that the USDA approve changes to federal rules and asks the U.S. Congress to authorize state waivers for this requirement. It does not change any laws directly but serves as a formal recommendation to federal agencies and lawmakers.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 3917: Codifies regulations concerning State-excused absences; permits excused absence for students attending military service activities, certain school visits, and open-houses.

This bill codifies existing regulations that allow public school students in New Jersey to record certain absences as excused, including religious observances, Veterans Day participation, and civic events. It specifically expands these provisions to permit up to three excused absences per school year for grades 11 and 12 students attending military service activities, vocational or trade school visits, or labor-related open houses. The legislation ensures that these excused absences do not negatively impact a student's attendance record or eligibility for perfect attendance awards, while requiring students to provide documentation to verify their eligibility. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment but remains inactive until the start of the first full school year following that date.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Memorials & Recognition

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4602: Requires State Board of Education to include instruction on mental health first aid training as part of professional development requirement for public school teachers.

This bill requires public school teachers in New Jersey to complete eight hours of mental health first aid training during their first year of employment and recertify every three years. The training covers identifying signs of mental health and substance use disorders, understanding risk factors, and learning intervention strategies for both crisis and non-crisis situations. It directly affects all public school teachers by making this instruction a mandatory part of their professional development requirements. The State Board of Education must implement these training requirements as part of existing professional development standards.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 3868: Clarifies public school student attendance recording and reporting requirements.

This bill clarifies how New Jersey public schools must record and report student attendance by establishing specific rules for excused and unexcused absences. It requires schools to count students as present if they participate in at least half a day of instruction, whether in-person, at an off-site location, or virtually. The legislation expands excused absences to include menstrual disorders, mental or behavioral health issues, court appearances, and family deaths, while also recognizing State-excused absences for religious observances, Veterans Day, election activities, college visits, and transportation closures. Students with excused absences can make up missed work, and these absences will not appear on transcripts or employment forms, though documentation may be required for approval.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Health Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4723: Requires each public institution of higher education to develop menstrual equity plan.

This bill requires the president of every public college or university in New Jersey to create a menstrual equity plan. The plan must outline how the institution will provide free menstrual products to students and staff, including estimates of need, distribution locations, costs, and a timeline for full implementation within 12 months. Once developed, the plan must be submitted to the institution's governing body, the Governor, and the Legislature. The law defines menstrual equity as ensuring equal access to menstrual hygiene products while reducing stigma around menstruation.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 19, 2026

A 4776: Establishes "Parents' Bill of Rights Act"; requires disclosure of certain information to parents and guardians.

This bill establishes the "Parents' Bill of Rights Act" in New Jersey, granting parents and guardians specific rights to access information about their children's education and school experiences. The legislation requires schools to provide parents with access to curriculum materials, student records, health information, and notifications about incidents affecting student safety or well-being. Parents would also gain the right to opt out of certain health and sex education classes without academic penalty and to receive input on school policies affecting their children. The act mandates that schools establish policies to notify parents of these rights and prohibits school officials from interfering with or suppressing any of the enumerated parental rights.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4595: Establishes "College Child Care Advisory Commission" to examine issues and develop recommendations on providing programs and services for college students who require child care services.

This bill creates the College Child Care Advisory Commission in New Jersey to study and make recommendations about child care services for college students. The commission will consist of 15 members, including state officials, educators, child care providers, and a student parent, who will meet to examine current programs and identify ways to improve access to child care on college campuses. Its main tasks include gathering data on student needs, reviewing existing services, and exploring partnerships between colleges and child care providers to potentially use campus facilities for child care. The commission must submit its final report to the governor, legislature, and college presidents within one year, and the bill will end once that report is issued.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4656: Broadens epinephrine administration mechanisms permitted in schools, institutions of higher education, and youth camps.

This bill allows schools, colleges, and youth camps in New Jersey to use pre-filled auto-injectors to administer epinephrine to students experiencing anaphylaxis, expanding who can give the medication and how it is stored. It requires schools to keep epinephrine in secure but unlocked locations accessible to nurses and trained staff, and permits nurses or designated volunteers to administer the drug even if a student has no known allergy history or if parents have not completed standard authorization forms. The legislation also clarifies that athletic trainers can administer epinephrine without violating licensing laws and mandates that students be transported to the hospital after treatment, regardless of whether symptoms appear to have resolved.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4567: Requires certain school districts to partner with union apprenticeship programs for development of career exploration program.

This bill requires New Jersey school districts with high schools to partner with local union apprenticeship programs to create career exploration programs for students in grades 11 and 12. The partnerships must develop informational materials about available career pathways and a structured program with at least 25 hours of instruction, including orientation sessions and hands-on trade skill training. School districts must ensure that at least two percent of their graduating 12th-grade class completes the program and submit annual compliance reports to the Commissioner of Education. Funding for implementation may come from state aid, grants, workforce development funds, or private sponsorships, with the Commissioner of Education requesting necessary budget allocations annually.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Apprenticeships Collective Bargaining Workforce Development

All education bills