New Jersey's S 1638 provides tuition-free education benefits at public colleges and universities to New Jersey residents who serve in military reserve components (Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, or Coast Guard Reserve). It allows eligible members to take up to 16 credits per semester tuition-free, after applying for all available federal and state education benefits, with the state reimbursing institutions for costs not covered by federal programs like the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The bill also extends these benefits to surviving spouses and children of service members killed in action, and ensures reservists interrupted by deployment can resume tuition-free enrollment after returning from duty. All beneficiaries must maintain good academic standing and meet enrollment requirements at participating public institutions.
This bill requires New Jersey's State Police to operate a 24-hour toll-free hotline (via phone or text) for anonymous reports of school safety threats. It directly affects students, parents, school staff, and the public who can report incidents like violence, bullying, suicide threats, or criminal activity without revealing their identity. The hotline will share verified reports with local police and school administrators to enable prompt investigation, while ensuring anonymity unless the reporter voluntarily discloses their identity. The State Police must also distribute hotline information to all public and nonpublic schools for student and family awareness. The bill takes effect three months after enactment.
This concurrent resolution (SCR 34) expresses the New Jersey Legislature's support for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives in higher education institutions and private businesses. It acknowledges New Jersey's diverse population - over 45% people of color, large immigrant communities, and multilingual residents - and cites evidence that DEIA programs improve student success in colleges and business performance. The resolution encourages colleges to adopt inclusive curricula and support services, and urges businesses to prioritize DEIA in hiring and workplace culture. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal force but aims to reinforce New Jersey’s commitment to inclusion without creating new requirements or funding.
S 2685 requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction on menstrual health and hygiene for students in grades 4-12 as part of their health and physical education curriculum. The bill mandates teaching about proper use of menstrual products (including risks like Toxic Shock Syndrome), symptoms of menstrual disorders, effects of period poverty, and when to seek medical help. Schools must notify parents before starting this instruction, and the law takes effect for the first full school year after enactment. This directly affects all New Jersey public school districts and their students in the specified grade range.
This bill establishes a three-year Skilled Trades Career Exploration Pilot Program for high school students in New Jersey, appropriating $5 million from the General Fund. It provides grants to school districts to develop or expand career and technical education programs, acquire equipment/facilities, and train instructors. Five school districts per region (southern, central, northern) will be selected to participate, with all grantees required to submit annual impact reports. The program aims to strengthen vocational pathways for high school students through targeted school district support.
This Senate resolution (SR 25) urges New Jersey to fully fund state reimbursements for school districts' extraordinary special education costs, as required by the 2008 School Funding Reform Act (SFRA). It specifically addresses the current shortfall where districts were eligible for $585.4 million in reimbursements for 2022-2023 but received only $420 million (71.7% of entitlement), affecting districts serving students with disabilities whose costs exceed $40,000 (public schools) or $55,000 (private schools). The resolution emphasizes that full funding is needed to help districts cover high costs for vulnerable students and stabilize budgets without shifting burdens to local taxpayers. It does not create new law but calls on the state to meet its existing legal obligation under the SFRA.
New Jersey's S 1664 establishes a matching grant program for public research universities that receive federal research grants. The bill requires the Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology to distribute $5 million in state funds to help these universities match federal grants, prioritizing projects aligned with state economic development goals and priority industries. Universities must apply for funding, with selections based on criteria like economic impact potential and student research opportunities. The commission must annually report on grant recipients and the program's effectiveness in advancing economic development.
S 1151 establishes the "Careers without College Program" within New Jersey's Department of Labor to connect eligible individuals (those qualifying for the Community College Opportunity Grant Program) with job and training opportunities in fields that don't require a college degree. The program creates a public webpage with career information, job postings, and scam warnings, partners with trade schools and unions, and promotes non-college career paths to high schools. It also creates a 10-member "Careers without College Advisory Commission" to advise on advancing specific industries like trades, cosmetology, construction, and healthcare support roles. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Labor Committee after its January 2026 introduction.
This bill requires the state to reimburse local governments (municipalities, counties, school districts, and fire districts) for property tax revenue lost during the first year when a veteran qualifies for a 100% service-connected disability property tax exemption. It specifically covers veterans with qualifying disabilities (such as paraplegia, amputations, or total blindness) or their surviving spouses who meet the exemption criteria. Local governments must submit documentation to the state within 10 days of exemption approval, and the state treasurer must issue reimbursement within 10 days of each quarterly tax bill due date. The reimbursement applies only to the first tax year after exemption approval, not subsequent years. This change directly affects veterans receiving the exemption and local governments that previously absorbed the revenue loss.
This bill establishes a voluntary business coaching program within New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) for licensed child care providers. It provides licensed providers with monthly virtual coaching sessions (in English, Spanish, or other relevant languages) to improve center efficiency, increase enrollment, set tuition rates, and understand health/safety regulations. The program is funded by a $3 million appropriation from the General Fund, requiring participants to be licensed child care center operators residing in New Jersey. Participation is entirely voluntary, with DCF selecting eligible providers based on established criteria.
