Education

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

A 1782: Modifies Community College Opportunity Grant Program to permit adult students enrolled in postsecondary career and technical education programs to receive financial assistance.

This bill expands New Jersey's Community College Opportunity Grant Program to include adult students enrolled in career and technical education programs at county vocational schools. It directly affects adult learners seeking licenses or certifications through programs like nursing or culinary training, allowing them to receive financial aid covering tuition and approved fees not covered by other grants. Key provisions define "adult student" and amend eligibility to include these programs (requiring at least four months of enrollment), while maintaining income limits ($0-$65,000) and requiring students to apply for other aid first. The program remains administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, targeting career-focused education without changing existing grant structures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands financial aid access for adult learners in career/technical programs, increasing educational opportunity for workforce training.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3299: Establishes Distraction Free Schools Grant Program; appropriates $2 million.

This bill creates a $2 million grant program for New Jersey public schools to develop policies limiting student cell phone and social media use during school hours and school events. Schools receiving grants must create age-appropriate policies that include exceptions for emergencies, health needs, and accommodations for students with disabilities, while promoting alternatives like phone lockers and network restrictions. Participating schools must report annually on how the program affects academic performance, behavior, and student well-being, with the state later evaluating the program's effectiveness compared to non-participating schools. The program directly affects public schools seeking funding to address distractions, not individual students or parents.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates $2 million for grants to develop school policies limiting cell phone/social media use, aiming to improve learning environments and student focus in K-12 education.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts student cell phone/social media use in schools via grants, limiting technology access in educational settings per bill's policy requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Social Media

Track

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

A 974: Concerns radon testing in certain schools and institutions of higher education.

This bill requires all public schools, private schools, and institutions of higher education in New Jersey to test their buildings for radon gas at least once every five years. Buildings tested within the five years before the bill's effective date must be retested within five years of that prior test; untested buildings must be tested within 60 days of the bill's effective date. School administrators (like principals or college leaders) must work with environmental officials to determine testing locations, methods, and how results are shared. The bill repeals an expired law that previously required similar testing only in public schools, now extending the requirement equally to all school types.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires radon testing in schools for safety, improving school infrastructure and student health environment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

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

A 2788: Reestablishes senior citizen supplemental stabilization aid.

This bill reestablishes state education funding for school districts located in municipalities where over 51% of residents are age 65 or older, based on the latest federal census. It provides $500 per student in projected enrollment to qualifying districts, directly affecting school funding in areas like Manchester Township and Berkeley Township (where Berkeley is part of a regional school district). The aid is calculated using projected enrollment (not actual enrollment) and reduces the qualifying municipality’s share of regional school district taxes. This policy change revives a program repealed in 2008, targeting districts with significant senior populations to stabilize education funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $500/student state funding for senior-heavy school districts, increasing education appropriations and directly affecting state budget allocation for public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $500/student supplemental funding to qualifying school districts, directly increasing education funding for targeted areas with high senior populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

Track

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

A 2839: Establishes 90-day State tax amnesty period ending no later than January 15, 2026; dedicates revenues collected during tax amnesty period for Stabilization Aid to school districts; appropriates up to $15 million.

This bill creates a 90-day tax amnesty period ending January 15, 2026, allowing taxpayers with unpaid New Jersey state taxes (for returns due between September 2017 and December 2024) to pay the full tax amount plus 50% of accrued interest (without penalties or fees). Taxpayers who participate forfeit all appeal rights for those taxes. All revenue collected during this period will fund a new Stabilization Aid Account, providing financial support to school districts experiencing reduced state aid compared to the prior year. The bill appropriates up to $15 million from this account to cover the administrative costs of running the tax amnesty program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill dedicates tax amnesty revenue to school district stabilization aid, directly funding public education through appropriated revenues.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDedicates tax amnesty revenue to fund school district stabilization aid, providing $15M direct support for K-12 funding.95% confidence

Track

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 & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesGuarantees minimum state school aid for regional districts, preventing funding reductions to education programs and promoting fiscal stability in school budgets.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationGuarantees minimum state school aid for regional districts, preventing funding cuts to K-12 schools by stabilizing existing aid levels including special education and security funds.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

Track

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

A 2346: Establishes one-time grant to study and recommend best practices for encouraging youth participation in government.

This bill provides a one-time $100,000 grant to a New Jersey four-year public university to study ways to increase youth involvement in government. The university must submit a detailed proposal and budget, then produce a report within one year identifying existing best practices and recommending the most effective methods for engaging young people. The report will be shared with state education officials and distributed to all school districts within 60 days. The bill directly affects public universities selected for the grant and aims to inform future youth engagement efforts in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $100,000 grant for youth engagement study, directly funding a public service initiative under state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds research to enhance youth civic engagement programs, aligning with 'enhances student programs' indicator. Directly supports educational access to government participation through school districts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

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

A 354: Establishes commission to study mental health impact of COVID-19 pandemic on K-12 students.

This bill establishes a 17-member commission to study the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on K-12 students in New Jersey. The commission will assess existing mental health resources in schools, identify which student groups and school districts were most affected, and evaluate how pandemic disruptions impacted available services. It must produce a final report within one year, including recommendations for improving access to mental health programs and staffing needs. The commission includes state agency leaders, school representatives, mental health professionals, and appointed public members with relevant expertise. The report will be submitted to the Governor, Legislature, and all school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes commission to study pandemic mental health impacts on K-12 students, with mandate to recommend improved access to mental health programs and staffing needs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes commission to study mental health impacts on students and recommend improved access to programs/staffing, aligning with mental health service support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health

Track

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

A 1583: Requires school districts to provide instruction on water safety as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

This bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to teach water safety as part of the health education curriculum for students in grades K-12, starting with the 2018-2019 school year. It mandates instruction on four specific topics: proper use of flotation devices, awareness of water conditions, dangers of rip currents and how to respond, and the importance of swimming in lifeguard-monitored areas. The law directly affects every student in New Jersey public schools, integrating water safety into existing health education standards. It aims to address drowning as a leading cause of accidental death by providing practical safety knowledge. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates water safety curriculum integration into required health standards, enhancing student safety education within K-12 curriculum framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education School Safety

Track

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

A 2877: Establishes School Funding Commission to study school funding formula and prepare report that will serve as basis of new formula.

This bill establishes a 26-member School Funding Commission to study New Jersey's current school funding system and develop recommendations for a new formula. The commission includes the Education Commissioner and members appointed by state leaders, with input from education organizations and finance experts. It must examine the existing 2008 funding formula, impacts on at-risk students, neighboring states' approaches, local tax capacity, and other key factors within one year. The resulting report will directly guide the state in creating a new school funding formula affecting all public schools in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes commission to study and reform school funding formula, aiming to improve equity and system effectiveness for K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

Track