Education (K-12 Education) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 21, 2026

S 2579: Permits spouses and dependents of military service members to qualify for in-State tuition in event that service member is transferred to another state.

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.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1577: Permits school districts to receive loans from State to support operating budget under certain circumstances.

This bill creates a state loan program to help New Jersey school districts facing significant operating budget shortfalls. School districts with shortfalls that would force cuts to nonmandatory programs - such as advanced placement courses, sports teams, music programs, and kindergarten - may apply for state loans through a new "School District Budget Relief Loan Account." To qualify, districts must demonstrate they spent below state adequacy levels in the prior year, increased property taxes by at least 2% annually for five years, and cannot resolve the shortfall through program cuts or tax hikes. The bill also allows districts to delay budget submission deadlines and public hearings until a loan decision is made.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Funding

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 15, 2026

S 1340: Requires Commissioner of Education to develop guidance on accommodations for certain students fasting for religious or medical reasons.*

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.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 371: Establishes "The CAMPUS Act: Combating Antisemitism to Mitigate Prejudice in Universities and Schools"; addresses instruction on antisemitism and antisemitic harassment, intimidation, and bullying in public schools.

This bill requires New Jersey public schools and colleges to adopt policies explicitly prohibiting antisemitic harassment, intimidation, and bullying, with clear definitions and disciplinary actions like suspension or expulsion for violations. It mandates Holocaust and antisemitism education in K-12 curricula, including lessons on recent antisemitic incidents and the consequences of prejudice. Schools must also provide guidelines distinguishing lawful protests from prohibited conduct, such as vandalism, obstruction, or affiliation with groups like Hamas. The law applies to all public educational institutions in New Jersey, effective upon implementation.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1934: Regulates the authority of the court to make provision for the educational expenses of an unemancipated child in certain instances involving child support.

This bill (S 1934) clarifies that New Jersey courts must consider post-high school educational expenses when determining child support for unemancipated children. It specifically adds "higher education factors" to the list of considerations courts must weigh, including a child's need for college and the parents' financial capacity. The bill does not create new funding but requires courts to account for foreseeable college costs in support orders. It directly affects parents obligated to pay child support and courts handling those cases. The change applies only to children who have not become legally independent (e.g., due to disability or ongoing education).

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 983: Allows credit against gross income tax for certain eligible taxpayers pursuing education and employment in State.

This bill creates a $1,500 nonrefundable state income tax credit for New Jersey residents who meet specific criteria. To qualify, a taxpayer must have graduated from both a New Jersey high school and a New Jersey institution of higher education (public or private nonprofit) with a 3.5+ GPA, then work full-time (25+ hours/week) for a New Jersey-based employer within two years of graduation. The credit applies for the first five consecutive tax years of eligible employment, but cannot reduce tax liability below zero. It directly targets recent NJ college graduates seeking to remain in-state for employment, aiming to incentivize retention in the state's workforce.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Higher Education K-12 Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2905: Requires high schools to offer computer science course.

This bill requires all New Jersey high schools serving grades 9-12 to offer at least one computer science course starting in the 2022-2023 school year. The course must cover computing principles, hardware/software design, and technology's societal impact, as defined in the bill. Schools must provide high-quality courses in flexible formats - including traditional classrooms, online, or blended learning - to accommodate all students. It directly affects public high school students and district boards of education across New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 779: Requires students to complete free application for federal student aid as part of high school graduation requirements or request an exemption.

New Jersey's S 779 requires high school students in grade 11 and above to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of their graduation requirements, starting in the first full school year after the bill takes effect. Students may request an exemption by submitting a signed form from a parent/guardian or, if 18+, by their own request. The bill also mandates that the state education commissioner provide schools and families clear resources with step-by-step instructions for completing the FAFSA. This policy directly affects New Jersey public high school students and aims to increase access to federal financial aid by integrating FAFSA completion into graduation pathways.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 240: Requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts and establishes uniform age requirement for enrollment in kindergarten.

This bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to provide full-day kindergarten programs by specific deadlines: high-need districts (A, B, CD, DE) by 2020-2021, and others by 2021-2022. It also establishes a uniform age requirement, mandating that children must turn 5 years old by October 1 of the school year to enroll in kindergarten - replacing current district-determined cutoff dates. The bill directly affects all school districts and kindergarten students, standardizing enrollment rules and program requirements statewide. It amends existing education laws to ensure consistent access to full-day kindergarten programs across all districts.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 1376: Requires public schools that offer student psychological services to offer remote sessions.

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.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health

All education bills