This bill allows high school students aged 16-18 to earn graduation credits in health, safety, and physical education by completing a county fire academy course. To qualify, students must pass a junior firefighter exam and commit to two years of volunteer service at their local fire department. The policy amends New Jersey's education rules to accept fire academy completion as fulfillment of specific graduation requirements, directly affecting eligible students in participating school districts. It does not replace existing junior firefighter auxiliary programs.
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.
This bill allows public high school students in New Jersey who observe Ramadan to opt out of required physical education classes and sports participation during the holy month. Students may substitute PE with an instructional course or study hall (earning equivalent graduation credits) by submitting written notice to their principal before scheduling. Student-athletes may also be excused from sports or cheerleading programs by notifying their coach, with coaches prohibited from penalizing such absences. The policy specifically accommodates Muslim students' religious obligation to fast during Ramadan, without exempting them from other required health education courses.
This bill establishes a 3-year pilot program in New Jersey's public elementary schools to test the use of therapy dogs in wellness initiatives. Participating school districts must apply with details about their schools, student wellness programs, and their specific plans for incorporating therapy dogs. The Department of Education will select two districts from each of the state's three regions (southern, central, northern), ensuring representation across urban, suburban, and rural areas. The program requires the DOE to provide guidance on therapy dog activities, handler training, dog health monitoring, and insurance, and mandates a final report evaluating the program's impact on student academic performance and health outcomes by June 2029.
This bill allows school districts in New Jersey to count the value of SREC-IIs (Solar Renewable Energy Credits) as part of the financial calculations when deciding whether energy-saving projects are cost-effective. It directly affects school boards and energy service companies that implement energy conservation programs in public schools. The key change permits these renewable energy credits to be included in cost-benefit analyses, potentially making it easier for districts to justify and fund energy efficiency improvements. The bill does not alter existing requirements for public bidding, prevailing wages, or contractor qualifications under current energy savings improvement programs.
This bill (S 3377) requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to lift conservation restrictions - land use limits tied to coastal development permits under the Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) - when a landowner seeks to expand a school for special needs children. To qualify, the DEP must confirm the land is needed for the school expansion and enforce a new conservation restriction on a different parcel that is at least twice as large and within 20 miles of the original site. The new restriction must provide similar environmental protection as the one being lifted. This applies only to parcels subject to CAFRA permits and directly affects landowners seeking to modify such conservation conditions for school expansion.
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 creates a $15 million solar energy grant program administered by New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to help public schools and eligible educational institutions install solar projects. It provides grants covering up to 50% of eligible project costs (including panels, installation, and permits) with no requirement for schools to contribute matching funds. Schools must report on energy savings and project use, and if a facility with a funded solar system is sold within 20 years, the new owner must reimburse the BPU a reduced percentage of the grant amount based on how long the original owner held the property. The program aims to lower schools' energy costs, boost system resiliency, and support the state's climate goals.
