This bill creates a grant program to support scientific conferences hosted by New Jersey's institutions of higher education. It appropriates $250,000 from the General Fund to cover costs like event space rentals, speaker fees, travel, and lodging for these events. Grants cannot be used for food or unrelated vendor expenses. Institutions must apply with conference details, speaker credentials, and cost information to receive funding. The program becomes effective immediately upon enactment.
This bill, if enacted, would allow 16- and 17-year-old New Jersey residents who are U.S. citizens and have lived in a school district for 30 days to vote **only** in local school board elections. It requires the Secretary of State to create a registration process and ballot design for these voters that mirrors the system used for other eligible voters. The bill explicitly states that 16- and 17-year-olds cannot vote in any other elections, such as for state or federal offices. School boards and municipalities would not be required to take any action to implement this change.
S 3582 would establish a scholarship program for family members and legal guardians of New Jersey military personnel who died while on active duty. The program, initially funded by a $100,000 state appropriation, would provide undergraduate scholarships at New Jersey colleges and universities, with awards capped at the average tuition cost for four-year public institutions. The bill also creates two new funding sources: voluntary taxpayer contributions through state income tax returns and a $2 annual fee on personalized license plates.
This bill allows registered nurses with a multistate license (under New Jersey’s 2019 Nurse Licensure Compact) to qualify for school nurse certification in New Jersey public schools. It directly affects nurses holding such licenses who seek to work as school nurses or substitutes, and school districts needing qualified nursing staff. The key change amends certification rules to accept multistate licenses as equivalent to New Jersey nursing licenses for school nurse endorsements. This removes a barrier for out-of-state nurses with valid multistate credentials, streamlining their eligibility to serve students, including those with complex medical needs.
This bill creates the Grow NJ Kids Student Loan Voucher Program, which provides monthly vouchers to New Jersey residents with student loans. Eligible participants must have a child enrolled in a Grow NJ Kids-rated child care program (minimum 3-star rating), meet income limits ($75,000 individual / $150,000 household), and apply through the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. The voucher amount equals the borrower's monthly student loan payment, funded by state appropriations. The program requires child care providers to publicize the program and participants to report enrollment changes.
This bill allows New Jersey county colleges to apply for approval to offer four-year nursing degree programs. It requires colleges to submit detailed proposals covering program design, resources, costs, curriculum, and enrollment plans to the New Jersey Presidents’ Council. The council reviews proposals, provides feedback, and forwards recommendations to the Secretary of Higher Education for final approval within 60 days. Approval depends on the program receiving accreditation from the New Jersey Board of Nursing, aiming to expand nursing education capacity and address workforce shortages.
This bill requires New Jersey to cover transportation costs for certain homeless students that exceed the average per-pupil cost in their school district. It directly affects two groups: (1) homeless students temporarily living in a district different from their district of residence while attending school there, and (2) students displaced by terrorism or natural disasters (with state emergency declarations) who remain in their original district for up to two years. Under the bill, the state pays for transportation costs above the district’s average per-pupil transportation expense in both scenarios. The policy change modifies existing laws to shift this specific cost burden from local districts to the state.
This New Jersey bill (A4477) requires public school districts to include age-appropriate lessons about menstrual toxic shock syndrome (a rare but serious condition linked to tampon use) in health classes for grades 4-12 starting in the 2026-2027 school year. It also mandates that owners of public restrooms in commercial buildings (with two or more toilets) install clear signage near tampon dispensers or in prominent locations, alerting women to the condition's symptoms and risks. The Commissioner of Education must provide schools with sample lesson materials, while the Department of Health will create online resources and rules for signage placement. The law directly affects all New Jersey public schools and commercial restroom facilities meeting specific occupancy criteria.
This bill requires new flooring installations in schools, community centers, and licensed child care centers to be certified mercury-free by the manufacturer. It applies to all facilities using identified mercury-risk flooring materials, including existing buildings where such flooring was installed before current occupancy. Key provisions mandate certification for permits, require air quality testing if mercury is detected, and obligate owners to implement mitigation or remove unsafe flooring within six months if tests exceed safety thresholds. Violations by manufacturers issuing false certifications carry civil penalties of $10,000 for first offenses.
This bill (A 747) establishes employment stability for high school athletic coaches in New Jersey public schools. It requires school districts to provide head coaches (who are tenured or out-of-district employees) with 3-year contracts and assistant coaches (tenured) with 2-year contracts. Coaches can only be dismissed during their contract term for "just cause," must receive written notice within 5 days of dismissal/reduction, and have the right to a hearing within 10 days with legal representation and cross-examination. The bill also mandates a one-year improvement period for tenured coaches with poor evaluations and ensures written board decisions following dismissals.
