This bill requires New Jersey's Departments of Agriculture and Education to work together to expand the "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative, which aims to increase the purchase and use of local and regional foods in school meal programs. The legislation focuses on administrative cooperation between state agencies to facilitate better sourcing of locally grown produce and ingredients for school lunches and breakfasts. By mandating joint implementation efforts, the bill seeks to strengthen connections between schools and local farmers without changing eligibility rules for students or altering existing meal program structures.
This bill allows New Jersey school districts to count absences due to a student's mental or behavioral health issues as excused absences. It requires the state Commissioner of Education to work with the Commissioner of Health to create guidelines that define what counts as an excused absence for these health reasons and what documentation schools may need when students return. The policy changes would apply starting the first day of the second full school year after the bill is enacted, giving the state time to prepare administrative rules. Students with mental or behavioral health challenges would gain flexibility in their attendance records, while schools would have a standardized framework to verify these absences.
This bill requires all public and nonpublic schools in New Jersey to place at least one portable, FDA-approved anti-choking device in accessible locations such as cafeterias and school nurse offices. The devices must be unlocked and clearly marked with identifying signs during school hours and school-sponsored events. Schools must also develop policies for device use and ensure all staff receive training in airway management and choking response techniques. The Department of Education will reimburse schools for implementation costs and may accept private contributions to help fund these expenses.
This bill requires New Jersey school districts to keep nasal rescue medications and oxygen supplies available for seizure emergencies. It mandates that these supplies be stored in accessible locations throughout each school building and that designated staff members receive training to administer them when a school nurse is not present. The legislation also establishes a reimbursement system for districts to cover implementation costs and requires parental consent and liability waivers before designees can administer emergency treatment.
This bill establishes a 17-member "Student Mental Health Task Force" in New Jersey to address mental health support for public school students. The task force, composed of education and health officials plus appointed community experts, will study existing mental health resources in schools and communities across all counties and regions. It must develop recommendations on improving access to services, identifying student mental health needs, expanding counseling programs, and funding requirements, while examining successful models from other states. The task force must submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature within one year of its formation, with copies sent to all school districts.
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 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.
This bill requires all New Jersey public schools to prominently display a link to the free or reduced-price school meals application on their official websites. It directly affects public schools, which must place the link in a visible location (like the homepage) rather than burying it in less accessible sections. The provision aims to make it easier for parents and guardians to access the application needed to determine eligibility for federal and state school meal programs each school year. The requirement takes effect immediately upon passage.
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 requires New Jersey school psychologists and counselors to complete an 8-hour mental health first aid training course. The training, developed by the Department of Education with the Department of Human Services, must cover identifying mental health issues in students, recognizing risk factors, and using crisis intervention strategies. School staff must complete the training during their first year of employment and at least once every three years thereafter. The course content must include specific topics like depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use disorders in children and adolescents.
