Education (Early Childhood) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4561: Requires school districts to provide access to preschool and submit plan for preschool implementation.

This bill mandates that New Jersey school districts offering elementary education must provide free, full-day preschool programs for three- and four-year-olds starting in the 2029-2030 school year. Districts that do not currently have such programs must submit a detailed implementation plan to the state by June 30, 2027, and may partner with neighboring districts to meet this requirement. The legislation also clarifies that these preschool programs must meet specific quality standards and outlines eligibility for state funding assistance for districts that establish them.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4842: Requires certain school districts to partner with licensed child care providers and Head Start programs to provide free preschool opportunities.

This New Jersey bill requires school districts receiving specific preschool grants to partner with licensed child care providers and Head Start programs to offer free preschool services. The law limits the number of preschool classrooms a district can operate in a single building to two, with any additional spots provided through these community partnerships. Districts must use a competitive bidding process to select partners and must meet high-quality standards set by the Department of Education. The bill also directs the state to provide technical assistance and funding to help these providers meet quality requirements, with priority given to those in underserved areas.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4846: Requires child care subsidy rate paid for certain children to equal school district's per pupil preschool education aid; appropriates funds.

This bill requires New Jersey to pay child care subsidies to eligible families for preschool-aged children at a rate equal to the per-pupil preschool education aid given to public schools. The policy specifically applies to three- and four-year-olds enrolled in licensed or registered child care programs that participate in the state's assistance program. To receive this higher reimbursement, child care providers must be rated as high quality under the Grow NJ Kids rating system and apply annually for the subsidy. The Department of Human Services will adjust these rates each year based on current school funding levels and must report annually on how many families and providers benefit from the change.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Early Childhood School Funding

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3772: Imposes mandatory fine and education requirement for certain prostitution offenses committed within 500 feet of a school, registered day care or licensed child care facility property; creates fund.

This bill requires mandatory fines and education programs for individuals convicted of prostitution offenses committed within 500 feet of schools, registered day care centers, or licensed child care facilities in New Jersey. The legislation creates a dedicated fund to support these education requirements and establishes specific penalties for prostitution activities near locations where children are present. It amends existing prostitution laws to include stricter penalties for offenses occurring near educational and childcare facilities, aiming to protect children from proximity to sex work. The bill applies to both those engaging in prostitution and those promoting it within the specified distance of protected locations.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4571: Establishes funding for transportation services for preschool students.

This bill establishes state funding for transportation services for preschool students in New Jersey. It amends existing education laws to require the state to calculate and report the average cost of providing transportation to preschoolers, which will be used to determine aid amounts for school districts. The funding formula adjusts transportation aid based on factors like student counts, distance traveled, and special needs, while also including preschool students who qualify for full-day preschool programs. School districts receiving this aid will see financial support specifically allocated to cover the costs of transporting preschool-aged children to and from school.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Early Childhood School Funding School Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3436: Establishes Task Force on Child Care Deserts in New Jersey.

New Jersey's Bill A3436 creates a 15-member Task Force on Child Care Deserts within the Department of Children and Families. The task force will study areas where over two-thirds of children cannot access licensed child care (defined as "child care deserts") and examine factors like geographic access, family demographics, funding gaps, and infrastructure needs. It will review existing research and develop policy recommendations for eliminating these deserts. The task force must issue a report to the Governor and Legislature within six months of organizing, with the group dissolving 30 days after the report is issued. This bill directly affects families in underserved urban and rural communities lacking child care options.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4348: Establishes task force to examine school discipline practices including racial disparities and effectiveness.

New Jersey's A4348 bill establishes a 10-member task force to examine school discipline policies and practices in public schools, with a specific focus on racial disparities and effectiveness. The task force will study current discipline methods - including their impact on preschool students and racial groups - and evaluate how well policies promote school safety while reducing problem behaviors. It will also review federal guidance (like the 2014 Dear Colleague Letter) and best practices to recommend improvements for equitable discipline. The task force must submit a final report with findings and recommendations within 12 months of organizing.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Early Childhood School Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1101: Requires development of longitudinal data system that maintains individuals' data from preschool through entry into workforce.

This bill requires New Jersey to create a statewide data system that tracks individuals' educational and workforce information from preschool through employment. It directly affects students, public schools, colleges, and workforce officials by connecting data across these stages. Key provisions include establishing a working group to determine data elements (like enrollment, test scores, transcripts, and earnings), ensuring privacy and security, and building a system operational within two years. The system will link records to improve education planning, college access, and workforce outcomes while making non-confidential data publicly available.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3467: Establishes Department of Early Childhood.

This bill creates a new Department of Early Childhood within New Jersey's Executive Branch to oversee early childhood programs. It transfers specific responsibilities from the Department of Education (covering preschool through grade 3 programs like teacher licensing and Title I services) and the Departments of Human Services and Children and Families (including child care programs, home visiting initiatives, and early intervention services) to this new department. The department will be led by a commissioner appointed by the governor, who will manage all programs for children from pregnancy through age eight. The law establishes the department's structure, authority, and administrative procedures to consolidate early childhood services under one agency.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Early Childhood School Funding Teachers

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3460: Requires young children entering public schools or Head Start Programs for first time to have comprehensive eye examination completed.

New Jersey bill A 3460 requires children under age 6 entering public preschools, public schools, or Head Start programs for the first time to have a comprehensive eye exam completed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist by January 1 of their enrollment year. Schools must collect proof of the exam from parents and notify them every three months if it’s missing, while the state will maintain an annual list of low-cost exam resources for families. A new "Comprehensive Eye Examination Fund" will cover exam costs for uninsured children or those without healthcare coverage. This bill directly affects parents/guardians, schools, and eye care providers, with implementation beginning in the first full school year after enactment.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

All education bills