S 1375 creates a Train the Trainer Program for Student Wellbeing within New Jersey's Department of Education, appropriating $1 million to fund it. The program trains educators to lead school-wide sessions on student behavioral and mental health, covering trauma-informed approaches, recognizing mental health challenges, restorative practices, and crisis de-escalation. Public school staff - not districts - voluntarily participate in the training, which uses evidence-based methods to improve school climate and student support. The program requires annual evaluations and a three-year effectiveness report to the Governor and Legislature.
This bill requires New Jersey public schools to integrate age-appropriate lessons about the September 11, 2001 attacks into existing Social Studies curricula for all grade levels. It mandates coverage of specific topics, including the historical context, timeline of events, first responder heroism (including United Airlines Flight 93 passengers), and the global response to terrorism. Additionally, schools must hold annual commemorative events focused on conflict resolution, diversity, and tolerance for different religions and cultures. The law applies starting in the first full school year after enactment, with the state providing sample teaching resources.
This bill ensures that colleges in New Jersey offering childcare services to students cannot charge student-parents more for childcare than the amount covered by their state-issued "New Jersey Cares for Kids" (NJCK) voucher. Specifically, if a student-parent receives a voucher through the NJCK program (which provides childcare assistance to eligible low-income families meeting income guidelines), the college must not bill them for any amount exceeding the voucher's value. The law applies only to institutions that both provide childcare services to students and accept NJCK vouchers. This directly affects student-parents enrolled at participating colleges who rely on the NJCK program for childcare support.
This bill establishes the S.E.E.D. Program to provide initial funding for student-led projects at New Jersey's public colleges and universities. It creates a dedicated fund to award competitive grants supporting new business concepts, research, or products developed by students, with grants requiring a plan for long-term sustainability. Funding is calculated based on institutional enrollment (e.g., $2,500 per 500 full-time students), administered by a seven-member board, and must be used for eligible student projects. The program requires a four-year report on grant outcomes, including applicant numbers and project results. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Higher Education Committee.
This bill requires New Jersey public schools to include Internet safety and online predator dangers in all existing sexual abuse and assault prevention education for students in preschool through 12th grade. It amends current law (P.L.2019, c.185) to explicitly mandate this content as part of health and physical education curriculum. The Commissioner of Education must consult with specific organizations, including the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking, to develop age-appropriate teaching resources. The policy directly affects all school districts and students in New Jersey's public K-12 system. The bill takes effect 30 days after enactment.
This bill prohibits New Jersey colleges and universities from creating scholarships or financial aid programs exclusively for students who are citizens or permanent residents of countries or territories designated by the U.S. State Department as controlled by terrorist organizations. It directly affects all public and private higher education institutions in New Jersey that receive state funding. Violations would result in the institution losing access to state operating funds, education facility bonds, general obligation bonds, and state scholarship programs distributed through the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.
This bill requires New Jersey school districts to implement safety measures for electrically operated partitions (like motorized room dividers) in classrooms and student areas. For new partitions installed after the bill takes effect, it mandates dual control stations requiring simultaneous activation, automatic reversal capability, and sensors to stop motion when objects are detected. School districts with existing partitions lacking these features must restrict operation to trained staff only, prohibit student presence during operation, and post safety signage. The bill also requires annual injury reporting, staff training on safe operation, and prohibits tampering with safety features. (Note: Bill is pending, not yet law.)
This bill (S 2579) extends New Jersey's in-state tuition eligibility to spouses and dependents of active-duty military service members when the service member is transferred to another state. It ensures that if a military spouse or dependent was already enrolled in a New Jersey public college or university before the transfer, they can continue to qualify for in-state tuition rates - provided they maintain continuous enrollment at the same institution. The law directly affects military-connected students who face relocation due to service, preventing them from losing affordable tuition status during temporary relocations. It builds on existing protections for military dependents who attended New Jersey high school for three years.
This bill amends New Jersey's school funding formula to include the value of certain properties normally exempt from property taxes (like government-owned land) when calculating a school district's "equalized valuation." This change directly affects all public school districts receiving state aid, as it alters how the state determines each district's share of funding. The key mechanism updates the definition of "equalized valuation" to explicitly add exempt property values to the tax base used for aid calculations. As a result, districts with significant exempt properties may see adjustments in their state aid amounts based on this revised valuation method. The bill does not change the overall funding level but modifies the formula used to distribute existing state aid.
This bill expands New Jersey's Tuition Aid Grant Program to include eligible workforce training programs alongside traditional degree-granting institutions. It requires the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to designate programs meeting specific criteria: minimum 150 hours of classroom instruction, offering industry-valued credentials, and maintaining at least 70% completion and job placement rates. The change directly affects students in non-degree workforce training programs and the institutions offering them, allowing these programs to access state tuition aid. The authority will determine eligibility based on these standards, while maintaining existing requirements for degree programs.
