This bill requires New Jersey public school districts to include voter education in the 12th-grade social studies curriculum as part of the state's Student Learning Standards. It mandates teaching students about voting importance, eligibility and registration processes, and how to locate polling places or request absentee ballots. School districts must incorporate this content directly into their existing curriculum, with optional collaboration between schools and local election officials to develop materials or provide registration forms. The law applies to all public high schools and takes effect immediately upon enactment for the first full school year after passage.
S 1370 requires that all new flooring installed in schools (K-12 public or private) and licensed child care centers must be certified by the manufacturer as mercury-free before a construction permit can be issued. This applies to any new construction, repair, or upgrade of flooring in these facilities. Manufacturers falsely claiming mercury-free flooring face civil penalties of $10,000 for a first offense and $25,000 for repeat violations. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment.
This bill allows high school students in grades 11-12 at New Jersey public schools to miss up to three days per school year for college visits, visits to technical institutions, or military recruitment activities without penalty. Students must provide documentation to their school, and these absences will not appear on transcripts, job applications, or affect perfect attendance records. Military recruitment-related activities include required testing, medical evaluations, interviews, and fingerprinting for enlistment. The law aims to support students exploring college or military career paths while maintaining attendance accountability.
This bill (S 1773) requires New Jersey school districts to include specific post-graduation data in annual school performance report cards. It mandates reporting the number and percentage of graduates placed in employment or further education, including apprenticeships, as part of the required school profile. The change applies to all high schools and districts, adding this metric to existing report card requirements like graduation rates and student test scores. The bill aims to provide families and communities with clearer insights into student outcomes after high school.
This bill requires all New Jersey high school students pursuing a state-endorsed diploma to complete a one-semester financial literacy course. It directly affects high school students by mandating curriculum covering budgeting, savings, credit, debt, taxes, college financial planning, banking, and consumer skills. The course must be taught by teachers with appropriate endorsements and cannot be satisfied by existing economics or business courses. The requirement applies to students entering 12th grade in the 2027-2028 school year.
This New Jersey bill (S 155) allows school bus drivers to administer epinephrine to students experiencing severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) under specific conditions. It requires parental written consent, a doctor’s order confirming the student’s need for epinephrine, and that the parent provides a current epinephrine auto-injector for the school bus. School bus drivers must complete mandatory training, and the school district must provide liability protections to drivers and contractors. The policy applies only to students with documented severe allergies who have been authorized by their parents and doctors.
S 1374 requires New Jersey school districts to employ at least one full-time school psychologist per school, with a maximum student-to-psychologist ratio of 500:1. This directly affects all public school students and school districts across New Jersey, mandating staffing levels aligned with national best practices. School districts must apply for federal funds to help implement these requirements. The law takes effect immediately but will first apply in the second full school year after enactment.
New Jersey's S 1123 requires all public and nonpublic schools to have at least one FDA-registered portable anti-choking device (a suction-based airway-clearing tool) available in cafeterias, school nurse offices, and similar locations during school hours and events. The devices must be unlocked, easily accessible, and marked with clear signage. Schools must train all nurses and staff in airway management and device use, while the state will reimburse schools for related costs. This bill directly affects school districts and nonpublic schools across New Jersey, aiming to improve emergency response to choking incidents.
S 1376 requires New Jersey public school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects that employ a school psychologist and offer in-person counseling to also provide virtual or remote counseling sessions for students in grades K-12. The bill mandates that schools permit remote sessions unless a school psychologist determines in-person counseling is necessary for a student's well-being. Students retain the right to choose in-person sessions if they prefer, and the law defines "school psychologist" as a certified professional with a New Jersey educational services certificate. This policy change ensures continued access to psychological services for students who cannot attend in-person sessions, such as due to health, transportation, or scheduling needs.
S 2243 requires every public college and university in New Jersey to create a menstrual equity task force within six months of the law's effective date. The task force, appointed by each institution's president and including diverse campus stakeholders (students, faculty, housing, health centers, etc.), must develop a detailed plan for free menstrual product access within six months. The plan must cover product needs, distribution locations, costs, and a 12-month implementation timeline. Institutions must implement the approved plan within one year, ensuring equal access to menstrual products while reducing stigma. The bill defines "menstrual equity" as removing barriers to care and addressing stigma around menstruation.
