Education in New Jersey

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

A 4592: Requires Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to consider combined income of all cosigners on application for participation in New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) Loan Program.

This bill requires the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to evaluate the combined income of all cosigners when determining eligibility for the NJCLASS student loan program. Currently, applicants with multiple cosigners might be denied if each individual cosigner falls below the minimum income threshold, even if their total household income qualifies. The legislation amends state law to ensure that the authority considers the total income of all cosigners together rather than assessing each cosigner separately. This change directly affects students and their families applying for NJCLASS loans, particularly those with multiple parents or guardians providing financial support. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 3933: Directs Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to provide security risk assessment guidance to certain institutions of higher education.

This bill directs New Jersey's Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to create security risk assessment guidance for public and private colleges and universities that receive state funding. The guidance will help institutions evaluate hazards related to campus safety, data security, emergency planning, infrastructure, and mental health access, while also providing a standardized checklist for annual reviews. Institutions must submit completed checklists to the office each year, and these documents will remain confidential but may inform decisions about state grants for safety upgrades. The office will also offer technical assistance to ensure consistent completion of assessments across all affected schools.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Safety Testing & Assessment Mental Health Consumer Data Protection

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

A 4544: Establishes requirements for students engaging in certain bias-related conduct.

This bill requires New Jersey school districts to mandate that students identified as engaging in bias-related conduct meet with a certified school psychologist weekly for at least nine months. The law defines bias acts as any behavior motivated by protected characteristics such as race, gender, or sexual orientation that creates a hostile environment, and includes actions like displaying hate symbols or using discriminatory language. Districts must employ psychologists trained in implicit bias and racial equity to provide restorative interventions aimed at understanding underlying causes and preventing future incidents. The legislation emphasizes support and education over purely punitive measures, requiring staff training and transparent reporting to address rising bias incidents in schools.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Safety

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

A 4573: Codifies regulations concerning State-excused absences; permits excused absence for students attending military service activities, certain school visits, and open-houses.

This bill updates New Jersey public school attendance rules by formally recognizing several types of excused absences, including military service activities, college or vocational school visits, and labor-related open houses. Under the new provisions, students in grades 11 and 12 may take up to three excused absences per school year for these activities without those days counting against their attendance records. The legislation also clarifies that excused absences should not appear on transcripts or employment forms and requires students to provide documentation when requested by school officials. This change applies to students participating in military testing, evaluations, or enlistment activities, as well as those visiting educational institutions or attending job-related events.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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

A 4727: Establishes Social-Emotional Learning Program in DOE; appropriates $2 million.

This bill creates a Social-Emotional Learning Program within New Jersey's Department of Education to support public school students in grades kindergarten through five. The program will teach students skills to process and apply social and emotional abilities while fostering safe learning environments through peer and family activities. It will initially launch in two cohorts of 103 schools across northern, central, and southern regions, with the Clayton School District serving as a model site. The state will fund 50% of program costs in the first year, decreasing to 35% and then 25% in subsequent years, with an initial $2 million appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Appropriations K-12 Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SR 78: Urges Governor and Legislature to establish initiatives towards education of social workers.

This Senate Resolution urges the Governor and Legislature of New Jersey to create initiatives that support the education of social work students. The bill specifically calls for the development of scholarships and loan repayment programs to help students pursuing bachelor's and graduate degrees in social work. By addressing high student debt and low salaries in the field, the resolution aims to encourage more individuals to enter social work careers and maintain a qualified workforce. The measure does not mandate funding but instead requests legislative action to establish financial support mechanisms for social work education.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SCR 108: Expresses intent of Legislature that "School Funding Reform Act of 2008" be revised to stabilize State aid reductions.

This bill expresses the Legislature's intent to revise the School Funding Reform Act of 2008 to prevent significant reductions in state aid to school districts, particularly those in the Highlands Region. The resolution highlights that previous changes eliminated adjustment aid, a mechanism designed to protect districts from sudden funding losses, and notes that development restrictions in the Highlands make it harder for local districts to offset aid cuts through tax increases. It calls for legislative action to stabilize state aid levels and ensure districts in areas with limited development capacity are not disproportionately affected by funding reductions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Funding

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 9, 2026

A 4498: Permits member of New Jersey National Guard to transfer certain tuition benefit to spouse or dependent child.

This bill allows New Jersey National Guard members to transfer their tuition benefit to a spouse or dependent child. Currently, Guard members can attend public New Jersey colleges tuition-free for up to 16 credits per semester under specific conditions. The new provision permits transfer of this benefit to one spouse or child, who must also be enrolled in good standing at a public institution and have applied for all available state and federal grants/scholarships. It does not change the existing requirements for the original Guard member or the recipient.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 9, 2026

A 4493: Establishes grant program for school districts to establish substance abuse prevention programs for eighth grade students.

This bill creates a grant program administered by New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to help school districts fund substance abuse prevention programs for eighth grade students. The programs must include two required components: training for school staff and parents on recognizing substance abuse risks, and a four-phase student program featuring real-life stories from rehabilitation residents, family members affected by substance abuse, correctional facility inmates, and positive role models. School districts must apply for grants and prove they have funding (from district budgets, private donations, or federal sources) to cover the program. Parents may opt their child out of the student program without academic penalty if it conflicts with their religious or moral beliefs.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3855: Permits member of New Jersey National Guard to transfer 50 percent of certain tuition benefit to dependent child or 100 percent of certain tuition benefit to spouse.

This bill allows New Jersey National Guard members to transfer their tuition benefit to a spouse or dependent child. Specifically, members can transfer 50% of their benefit (covering up to 8 credits per semester) to a dependent child or 100% (covering up to 16 credits per semester) to a spouse. To qualify, the spouse or child must be enrolled full-time at a public New Jersey institution, apply for all available state and federal grants/scholarships, and the Guard member can only transfer the benefit to one person. The bill amends existing law to expand benefit eligibility to family members while maintaining current requirements for enrollment and financial aid applications.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Military Families National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

All education bills