Education (Special Education) in New Jersey

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

A 1317: Extends requirements on use of restraint and seclusion to all students; requires immediate parental notification; requires DOE to collect and report data regarding use of restraint and seclusion on students.

This bill expands New Jersey's school restraint and seclusion rules to apply to **all students** (previously limited to students with disabilities). It requires schools to: 1) Use physical restraint or seclusion **only in emergencies** posing immediate danger, 2) **Notify parents immediately** (by phone/electronic message) and provide a written report within 48 hours, 3) **Collect and report annual data** to the Department of Education (DOE) on usage, including student demographics like race, gender, and disability type. The DOE must publish this data publicly while protecting student privacy, and schools must hold meetings with parents for repeated incidents.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education

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

A 3347: Requires DOE to establish comprehensive searchable website concerning educational programs and resources available to special education students.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to create and maintain a searchable website listing all educational programs and resources for students with disabilities eligible for special education. The site must include details on approved schools (in-state, out-of-state, and specialized programs), assistive technologies, and support organizations, searchable by disability type, location, and keyword. The Department must consult with the State Special Education Advisory Council and update the site annually to ensure accuracy. This directly affects students with disabilities, their families, and educators seeking accessible information about available services.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Special Education

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

A 2527: Modifies various aspects of charter school program including student enrollment procedures, revocation of charter, monitoring of charter schools, and collaboration between school districts and charter schools.

This bill amends New Jersey's charter school law to strengthen accountability and transparency. It requires charter schools to use random lotteries for enrollment when oversubscribed, prioritize students from the school's district of residence, and report annual demographic data (including race, special education status, and free/reduced lunch eligibility) to the state and post online. Charter schools must also maintain waiting lists and provide annual enrollment demographic reports. These changes directly affect charter schools, students seeking enrollment, and school districts that fund charter schools through per-pupil payments.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education

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

A 4318: Establishes requirements for removal of students from public school pending mental health clearance.

This bill establishes clear rules for New Jersey public schools when removing students for mental health clearance. Schools may only remove a student in an emergency where they or others face immediate physical danger, and must notify parents immediately (with a written report within 48 hours). It requires schools to provide free mental health clearances, ensure continued instruction during removal (if over 5 days), and update a student’s education plan (like an IEP or 504 plan) after return. The bill also prohibits schools from imposing extra conditions beyond the mental health clearance for re-entry.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education Student Health Mental Health

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

A 2764: Ensures that certain regional school districts receive no less than total amount of State school aid provided in 2024-2025 school year.

This bill ensures that New Jersey's regional school districts with more than seven constituent districts receive state school aid totaling at least what they received during the 2024-2025 school year. It creates "regional stabilization aid" that guarantees these districts get the greater of: (1) the state aid calculated under current law, or (2) their total 2024-2025 state aid - including equalization aid, special education aid, security aid, transportation aid, adjustment aid, and Stabilized School Budget grants. The aid will first be distributed for the 2025-2026 school year. This policy directly affects eligible regional school districts by preventing reductions in their total state funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

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

A 2743: Requires written notification of advanced placement courses to parents of students with disability; prohibits exclusion from advanced placement courses on basis of disability.

This New Jersey bill (A 2743) requires school districts to annually send written notices to parents of students with disabilities about available advanced placement (AP) courses. The notice must include the course name, description, and any prerequisites. It also prohibits schools from excluding students with disabilities from AP courses solely based on their disability. The bill directly affects students with disabilities, their parents, and school districts, aiming to ensure equal access to AP opportunities. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Special Education Tags People with Disabilities

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3363: Establishes pilot program in DOE to provide assistive technology to elementary and middle school students with dyslexia and related conditions.

This bill establishes a three-year pilot program within New Jersey's Department of Education to provide assistive technology tools to elementary and middle school students with dyslexia and related learning conditions. The program will supply devices and services like text-to-speech software, speech-to-text applications, and specialized spelling aids to help students access grade-level curriculum, improve reading fluency, and boost writing confidence. Students do not need formal special education classification to qualify. The Commissioner of Education, working with the Office of Information Technology, will manage the pilot, including assessing student needs, acquiring technology, and providing training for educators.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Special Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3693: Expands limits on use of restraint and seclusion to all students and imposes certain data collection and training requirements on DOE.

This bill (S 3693) expands restrictions on physical restraint and seclusion to apply to **all students** in New Jersey public schools - not just students with disabilities - as previously required. It mandates schools to collect data on restraint/seclusion incidents, provide annual staff training on safe techniques, and immediately notify parents when restraint is used (with written reports within 48 hours). The bill also prohibits prone-position restraint without a physician’s written authorization and requires documented behavioral intervention plans within one month of any restraint incident. These changes aim to enhance student safety while standardizing procedures across all public schools.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Special Education

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

A 1778: Exempts certain students with disabilities from requirement to take college credits during Bridge Year Pilot Program; modifies age eligibility criteria under program.

This bill modifies New Jersey's Bridge Year Pilot Program to exempt students with disabilities from the requirement to take college credits during their bridge year. Instead, these students may participate in vocational programs or transition services as outlined in their Individualized Education Program (IEP), determined by their IEP team and parent/guardian. It also adjusts age eligibility to allow students who would turn 20 during the program to participate if their IEP requires it. The bill applies to students in the 2021 and 2022 graduating classes enrolled in the pilot program.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Special Education

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

A 2096: Requires board of education to directly employ certain professionals; permits board of education to contract for certain personnel; permits use of virtual or remote instruction for public school students in certain circumstances.

This bill requires New Jersey public school boards to directly employ certified professionals for most instructional and support roles, such as teachers and instructional staff, rather than contracting for these services. Boards may apply for Commissioner-approved exemptions to contract for specific personnel, including substitute teachers, staff for alternative education programs, and special education services, to address program needs. The bill also permits contracting for roles like those providing financial literacy instruction, individualized learning opportunities, or dual-enrollment courses without direct employment. These provisions aim to ensure certified staff directly serve students while allowing flexibility for essential program support.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Special Education

All education bills