Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SR 28: Urges Attorney General and Department of Education to regularly update "Law Enforcement Directive No. 2007-1" and "School Safety and Security Manual: Best Practices Guidelines."

This Senate Resolution (SR 28) urges the New Jersey Department of Education and Attorney General to regularly update two school safety documents last revised in 2007: the *School Safety and Security Manual: Best Practices Guidelines* and *Law Enforcement Directive No. 2007-1*. It directs these entities to review and revise the documents to reflect current best practices for school safety, ensuring school personnel and law enforcement have up-to-date guidance on topics like emergency response and security protocols. The resolution does not create new requirements but calls for ongoing updates to address evolving safety needs. The resolution was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Education Committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUrges updating school safety guidelines to reflect current best practices, enhancing student/staff protection in K-12 schools - a protective measure for educational environments.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2012: Provides tuition-free credits to certain institutions of higher education for certain law enforcement officers and firefighters and their spouses and dependents.

This bill provides tuition-free college credits for specific New Jersey public safety personnel and their families. Retired law enforcement officers or firefighters who retired due to a service-related injury or illness can receive up to 16 tuition-free credits per semester (max 8 semesters) at public or approved private colleges, provided they apply for all available federal and state grants first. Additionally, spouses or dependent children of officers or firefighters who died in the line of duty are eligible for the same tuition benefits, with spouses who already hold bachelor’s degrees qualifying for graduate programs (excluding medical, dental, or law fields). The state reimburses institutions for tuition costs not covered by existing grants, effective immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition-free credits for higher education access, expanding educational opportunities for public safety personnel families through direct funding.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tuition benefits to public safety workers, expanding educational opportunities as a worker benefit.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 908: Establishes "New Jersey Works Dual Enrollment Option Program."

This bill establishes the "New Jersey Works Dual Enrollment Option Program" to help at-risk high school students (those identified as likely to drop out) and recent dropouts earn their diplomas through county college coursework. Students complete high school requirements via college courses that count toward both their diploma and a college credential, with no tuition or fees for them or their families. The program requires school districts to partner with county colleges to create agreements specifying eligible courses, and the state provides job placement services after successful completion. It is fully funded by the state, including state aid for participating students' school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates free dual enrollment for at-risk students, enabling diploma completion via college courses without tuition, expanding educational access and support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2170: Reaffirms continuation of Rutgers Institute of Management and Labor Relations; appropriates $750,000.

This bill reaffirms the continuation of Rutgers University's Institute of Management and Labor Relations for its 75th anniversary and allocates $750,000 annually in state funds to support its work. The Institute will provide affordable or free educational programs - including classes, webinars, and conferences - to New Jersey residents on labor-management relations, workforce issues, and workplace dynamics. It will also conduct research on labor-related problems and maintain an advisory council with equal representation from labor, management, and the public. The funding is supplemental to existing state allocations and specifically supports the Institute’s educational outreach and research activities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $750k for Rutgers Institute's educational programs (classes, webinars) on labor relations, directly funding workforce education access and training.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds Rutgers Institute for labor-management education/research, advancing workplace dynamics and labor relations through direct state appropriation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2442: Requires institutions of higher education to review employment history of prospective employees who will have regular contact with students to ascertain allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct.

This bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities to check the employment history of job applicants who will have regular contact with students, including teaching assistants and staff in student-facing roles. Institutions must obtain a list of the applicant's past employers (especially in education or student contact roles over the last 20 years), written consent for background checks, and a statement about any past allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct. Employers must respond within 20 days to verify if applicants were investigated for such misconduct, disciplined, or had licenses revoked due to these allegations. Applicants who provide false information face penalties up to $500, and institutions must include these disclosure requirements in all relevant job applications.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates background checks for higher education employees with student contact to prevent harm, directly protecting students in educational settings per topic description.90% confidence

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 511: Allows a gross income tax deduction for certain higher education tuition and fee expenses.

S 511 allows New Jersey taxpayers with gross income of $85,000 or less to deduct qualified higher education tuition and fee expenses paid during the tax year. The deduction covers costs for the taxpayer, their spouse, or dependents enrolled as matriculated students at accredited public or private colleges or universities. It applies to expenses paid for accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. This policy change directly affects low-to-moderate income families with students in higher education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax deduction for lower-income families' education costs, directly offering tax relief to qualifying taxpayers under $85k gross income.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax deduction for higher education tuition, increasing affordability and access for low-to-moderate income families with dependents in accredited institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1099: Establishes "breakfast after the bell" incentive fund.

S 1099 creates a state incentive fund providing school districts an additional 10 cents per breakfast for participating in the federal school breakfast program while serving "breakfast after the bell" to 20-100% of students eligible for free or reduced meals. The fund supplements existing federal reimbursements to help districts cover costs of expanding breakfast access. The Department of Agriculture and Education will administer the program, provide school support, and issue annual reports on costs and participation. The Legislature must annually appropriate funds to implement the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state incentive fund to supplement federal reimbursements for school breakfast programs, increasing public service funding through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates state incentive fund (10 cents per breakfast) to expand school breakfast access for eligible students, supplementing federal funding and directly supporting school meal programs and educational access.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands school breakfast access for eligible students via state funding, supporting public health nutrition programs under healthcare topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3086: Requires board of education to provide an individual textbook for each student enrolled in class.

S 3086 requires every public school district in New Jersey to provide each student with their own textbook (including electronic versions) for classes that use textbooks as the primary learning material. This directly affects all students enrolled in courses using textbooks, ensuring they have individual access rather than sharing materials. The law defines "textbook" broadly to include books, workbooks, manuals, or digital resources used as the main study source. It aims to address situations where students lacked textbooks, which hindered their ability to complete homework and prepare for assessments. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires individual textbooks per student, expanding access to learning materials and addressing sharing limitations in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1953: Requires exterior exit doors in school buildings to remain unlocked from egress side and locked from access side at all times.

This bill requires all New Jersey school buildings (with two or more rooms, or single-room schools above the first floor) to keep exterior exit doors locked from the outside access side at all times but unlocked on the inside exit side for safe evacuation. During emergencies like fire alarms, school staff must manually unlock exterior doors or use automatic systems to allow outside access. Schools must also conduct monthly security drills (with police presence at least once yearly) and fire drills using fire escapes where available. The law directly affects all New Jersey public schools and aims to balance security with rapid emergency egress.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires school exit safety protocols and drills, improving physical infrastructure and student safety in K-12 environments.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1479: Prohibits institutions of higher education and degree-granting proprietary institutions from using applications for admission that inquire about applicant's criminal history; establishes "Universal College Application Development Task Force" to develop standard application for admission.

This bill (S 1479) prohibits New Jersey public and private colleges (excluding law schools) from asking applicants about criminal history - including juvenile records - on admission applications. It creates a "Universal College Application Development Task Force" to design a standard application that excludes such questions, which all institutions must adopt. Exceptions allow institutions to ask about specific serious crimes (e.g., sexual assault, terrorism, or child exploitation) for admission decisions. Colleges may later inquire about criminal history for campus housing or activities, but must consider factors like time passed since the offense and rehabilitation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves barriers to higher education for individuals with criminal records, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism and promote rehabilitation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves criminal history barriers in college admissions, expanding access to higher education through standardized application reforms.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Violent Crime Higher Education

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