Education

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2098: Establishes limits on transcript release restrictions at institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions.

This New Jersey bill (A 2098) prohibits institutions of higher education and certain proprietary schools from withholding student transcripts due to unpaid debts of $2,000 or less for non-mandatory charges (like campus fees, not tuition or room/board). It specifically bans institutions from refusing transcripts, charging extra fees, or conditioning transcript access on debt payment for qualifying students. Exceptions apply for unpaid tuition/room/board debts, debts exceeding $2,000, or students needing transcripts for new student loans. The bill also requires institutions to post transcript policies online and clarifies that transcript access does not forgive debt or affect diploma issuance. Note: This bill was withdrawn as it was already enacted as P.L.2025, c.353.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill removes financial barriers to transcript access for higher education students, enhancing educational mobility and access by prohibiting withholding for small non-tuition debts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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

A 3268: Revises conditions for use of virtual or remote instruction to meet minimum 180-day school year requirement.

This bill (NJ A3268) allows New Jersey public school districts to count virtual or remote instruction days toward their required 180-day school year when schools close due to weather, emergencies, or health directives. It requires districts to submit approved virtual programs to the education commissioner, ensures equal educational access for students with disabilities (including IEP services via technology), and specifies that virtual days count as full school days for graduation, course credit, and state assessments. The commissioner must establish guidance on technology access, day length, and impacts on lunch programs and state testing. It directly affects all public school districts, charter schools, and students, including those with disabilities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables virtual instruction to maintain school year requirements, ensures equal access for disabled students, and counts virtual days as full days for graduation/credits, advancing educational continuity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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

A 1871: Requires school districts to include environmental sustainability plan in long-range facilities plan.

This bill requires all New Jersey school districts to include environmental sustainability goals in their existing long-range facilities plans. Districts must update these plans every five years to incorporate sustainability measures, such as energy efficiency or waste reduction, alongside other planning elements like enrollment projections and safety standards. The requirement applies to all school districts, including those designated as "Abbott districts" under previous law. This amendment modifies an existing 2000 law (P.L.2000, c.72) by adding environmental sustainability as a mandatory component of the planning process, without specifying exact sustainability metrics.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires sustainability in school facilities planning, improving infrastructure for education.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates energy efficiency measures in school facility planning, advancing sustainability goals related to energy use.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates school districts to integrate sustainability measures (energy efficiency, waste reduction) into facilities planning, advancing environmental conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

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

A 1772: Provides tuition benefits at public institutions of higher education for dependents of certain veterans.

This bill (A 1772) provides free undergraduate tuition and mandatory student fees at New Jersey public colleges for dependents of qualifying veterans. It directly affects children (ages 17-26), spouses, civil union partners, or domestic partners of veterans who were New Jersey residents when entering active duty and who were killed in action, declared POW/MIA, permanently and totally disabled (100% service-connected), or died from a service-connected disability. To qualify, dependents must be New Jersey residents, enrolled full-time in good standing at a public institution, and have applied for all available state and federal grants/scholarships. Benefits are capped at the credit hours needed for a bachelor’s degree (at four-year colleges) or associate degree (at community colleges), and spouse/partner benefits expire after 10 years or upon remarriage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides free tuition at public colleges for veterans' dependents, expanding access to higher education funding and support.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides free tuition for dependents of qualifying veterans, expanding educational benefits through direct funding for veterans' families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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

A 1748: Requires school districts to provide instruction on dangers of electronic cigarette usage as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

This bill requires New Jersey school districts to add instruction about e-cigarette dangers to health education for students in grades 6-12, starting in the 2020-2021 school year. The curriculum must cover: nicotine content in e-cigarettes, how e-cigarette use can lead to addiction to tobacco or other drugs, health effects of chemicals like formaldehyde found in e-cigarettes, and the state's ban on e-cigarette use on school grounds. The state’s Education Commissioner will provide schools with sample lesson materials to support this teaching. The law directly affects all public school districts and students in grades 6-12 across New Jersey.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates e-cigarette education in health curriculum for grades 6-12, enhancing student health knowledge and aligning with school standards per NJ law.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates e-cigarette health education in school curricula to prevent youth vaping, directly advancing public health prevention within healthcare topic.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Substance Abuse

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

A 912: "Protecting Students from Obscene Material in School Libraries Act."

This bill (A 912) requires New Jersey school boards to adopt policies preventing obscene material in school libraries. It mandates that schools establish clear criteria for library materials, prohibit obscene content, ensure all staff comply with state obscenity laws (N.J.S.2C:34-3), and create procedures to investigate staff who distribute such material to students. The Commissioner of Education must provide guidance on identifying obscene material, recommending disciplinary actions (including termination for criminal violations), and when to involve law enforcement. Noncompliant school districts risk state funding sanctions, directly affecting school boards, library staff, and students' access to library resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly protects students from obscene material in school libraries, aligning with educational safety and compliance with obscenity laws as a protective measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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

A 3833: Establishes Distraction Free Schools Grant Program; appropriates $2 million.

This bill establishes a $2 million grant program for New Jersey public schools to promote limited student use of cell phones and social media during school hours and school events. Schools applying for grants must submit plans to reduce device distractions, while the Department of Education will develop best practices covering age-appropriate policies, emergency exceptions, and device storage options. Participating schools must annually report on how the program affects academic performance, behavior, and student well-being, with the Department compiling statewide results. The program targets all public schools in New Jersey, with grants awarded competitively based on regional diversity and need.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $2M for grants to reduce device distractions in schools, directly funding initiatives to improve academic performance and school environment per bill summary.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts student cell phone/social media use in schools, directly limiting technology access during educational hours per bill's purpose to reduce device distractions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Social Media

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

A 3885: Requires construction of sidewalks along certain routes within certain radius of public schools.

This bill requires New Jersey counties and municipalities to build and maintain sidewalks within a two-mile radius of elementary public schools and a 2.5-mile radius of secondary public schools, specifically on streets used by students that are deemed hazardous under existing safety criteria. It allows local governments to fund these sidewalks using permit fees, donations, grants, or other available funds. The law applies to all public schools (including those partially funded by state/local sources) and takes effect immediately. It directly affects school districts, local infrastructure planning, and students walking to school along designated routes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates sidewalk construction near schools for student safety, directly improving school infrastructure and access per topic description.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires sidewalk construction on hazardous routes near schools, enhancing pedestrian safety and transportation infrastructure per bill's safety criteria and funding provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Pedestrian Safety

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

A 3213: Requires public school to allow certain students not enrolled in school to participate in interscholastic athletics.

This bill requires New Jersey public school districts to allow certain non-enrolled students - such as those receiving equivalent instruction elsewhere (e.g., homeschooling), attending charter schools, or enrolled in county vocational schools - to try out for and participate in interscholastic sports in their district of residence, provided they meet the same eligibility requirements as enrolled students. To qualify, students must prove residency, pass physical and academic checks (like grades and health screenings), and for non-public school students, demonstrate they receive an academically equivalent education. The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) will resolve eligibility disputes, and students previously ineligible at their prior school remain ineligible if barred for academic or behavioral reasons. This applies only when the student’s current school does not sponsor the desired sport.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by allowing non-enrolled students (e.g., homeschooled) to participate in school sports under same eligibility, directly supporting access under education policy.95% confidence

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

A 2903: Authorizes forgiveness of portion of certain funds owed to State by school districts.

This bill forgives up to $10 million in outstanding state loans or advances owed by eligible public school districts. It applies to districts that borrowed funds since 2018 to supplement general budgets, including loans under P.L.2018, c.67, or advances under P.L.2006, c.15. The Commissioner of Education and State Treasurer will forgive the debt for qualifying districts, including those with approved applications before the bill's enactment. It directly affects school districts facing budget shortfalls due to state aid reductions, providing immediate financial relief without requiring new spending. The forgiveness covers the principal amount but not interest or fees associated with the borrowed funds.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationForgives $10M debt for school districts, increasing available funds for educational programs and operations without requiring repayment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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