Bill A 884 reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of certain teachers and retirees in New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF). It would require the fund to automatically adjust retirement benefits each year based on inflation, without needing separate legislative approval. This directly affects current and retired educators covered by the TPAF who previously lost these automatic increases. The policy change ensures their retirement income keeps pace with rising living costs.
This bill requires New Jersey public colleges to provide student-athletes with an equivalent scholarship if their athletic scholarship isn't renewed due to a serious injury or illness directly related to their sport. It applies specifically to student-athletes who become medically ineligible to compete because of such an injury. The new scholarship must cover the same value as the lost athletic scholarship, and combined with any prior athletic scholarships, it must last for up to five academic years or until the student earns their degree - whichever comes first. Public institutions may choose to offer additional years beyond the five-year limit at their discretion.
This bill allocates an additional $1 billion in state funding specifically for after-school recreation programs in urban areas. The funds, managed by the Commissioner of Education, will directly support urban communities by improving playgrounds, pools, and recreational infrastructure; reopening closed parks; and creating mentorship programs with computer science, home economics, and life skills education. The money is designated for physical facility upgrades and educational programming, not for general school operations.
This New Jersey bill (A 181) expands school policies to allow any FDA-approved epinephrine device - not just auto-injectors - for emergency use during anaphylactic reactions. It requires schools to develop policies with specific parental authorization forms (including liability waivers), secure storage of epinephrine accessible to nurses or trained staff, and clear protocols for emergency administration. The bill directly affects public and nonpublic schools, students with known allergies (requiring parental consent), and school staff who may administer epinephrine during emergencies - even without prior parental consent for that specific incident. Key provisions mandate that trained staff can act immediately if a student shows signs of anaphylaxis, and schools must maintain backup epinephrine supplies accessible during school activities. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Health Committee (introduced January 13, 2026).
This bill proposes a five-year pilot program requiring New Jersey's Juvenile Justice Commission to establish three arts-based education programs for youth in detention and correction facilities. The programs, developed through partnerships with arts organizations, community groups, and private funders, aim to build skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-esteem using creative arts. Each program will undergo annual evaluation to measure impacts on educational outcomes and youth development, with final recommendations for continuation or expansion to be submitted after four years. The bill directly affects juvenile offenders in state correctional facilities and requires collaboration with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for implementation.
This bill establishes a two-year Mental Health Awareness Pilot Program within New Jersey's Department of Education, directly affecting middle and high school students in participating school districts. School districts must apply with detailed data on student enrollment, absenteeism, academic performance, socioeconomic status, and current mental health staffing to be selected. The Commissioner will choose six districts - representing all regions and urban/suburban/rural settings - to implement innovative mental health awareness initiatives and teach students coping skills for stress management. After two years, the Commissioner must report to the Governor and Legislature on the program's implementation and whether it should continue or expand.
New Jersey bill A1319 requires public colleges and universities to create a student withdrawal policy allowing refunds for specific serious personal situations. It mandates that institutions define "extenuating circumstances" (including illness, injury, hospitalization, and mental health issues) and refund tuition/fees if these circumstances prevent a student from receiving education during a semester. The policy must also provide proportional refunds for unused room and board charges and clarify that financial aid refunds follow existing state and federal rules. This policy applies to all public higher education institutions in New Jersey starting with the first full academic year after the bill's enactment.
This bill establishes a grant program to help New Jersey public colleges improve student access to mental health services. It requires public colleges to use grant funds for hiring staff, reducing wait times, expanding services, and raising awareness about mental health resources. Colleges must also publicly report semester-by-semester data on student-to-professional ratios, appointment volumes, wait times, and referrals, plus annually report student suicide attempts and completions to the state. The program is funded through state appropriations, private donations, and federal grants, with reporting starting after the bill's effective date.
This bill establishes a 18-member Special Education Transportation Task Force to study and recommend best practices for transporting students with special education needs. The task force will focus on improving responses to medical and behavioral emergencies during transportation, safety protocols, access to necessary equipment, and communication with families. Composed of education officials, disability advocates, school staff, and parents, the group must submit its recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 12 months of forming. The bill does not create new laws but sets a process for evaluating and improving existing transportation practices.
This bill clarifies that New Jersey's private career school closure requirements - including the need for a plan to transfer students and provide transcripts - apply to cosmetology and hairstyling schools licensed by the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling. It requires the Board to develop a standard model teach-out plan for these schools to use when submitting closure plans to the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. The model ensures students can transfer to another school and receive their academic records if a school closes abruptly, addressing gaps seen in past closures like Capri Institute. This change extends existing protections for students at other private career schools to cosmetology and hairstyling programs.
