Education

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

A 2525: Eliminates requirement for State residency of public school employees for period of three years.

This bill eliminates a New Jersey law requiring public school employees (including those in school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects) to live in the state. It removes this residency requirement for a three-year period, directly affecting all current and future public school staff in these institutions. The key mechanism is amending state law to exempt these employees from the residency rule, which previously mandated that their principal residence be in New Jersey. This change applies broadly to all public school positions without exception during the three-year term. The bill does not alter other existing residency requirements for state government employees or create new exemptions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves residency barrier for school staff, easing hiring and supporting educational staffing needs within K-12 institutions.85% confidence

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

A 1281: Requires school districts to include instruction on risks associated with social media and cell phone addiction in grades 6 through 12.

This bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to teach students in grades 6 through 12 about the responsible use of social media and cell phones, including risks like addiction, cyberbullying, and negative impacts on mental health. It expands current requirements (which only covered grades 6-8 in technology classes) by mandating this instruction within the health education curriculum for all grades 6-12. The curriculum must cover responsible platform use, cyber safety, and the specific consequences of irresponsible use, such as harm to mental health and relationships. School districts must use resources provided by the state education commissioner to implement these lessons.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates expanded curriculum on digital wellness in K-12 health education, enhancing student education about social media risks and mental health impacts.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health education in school curriculum addressing addiction impacts, supporting mental health awareness as part of healthcare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 8, 2026

A 1492: Requires Secretary of Agriculture to establish Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Grant Program to reimburse school districts for costs expended in sourcing and procuring local foods for students; appropriates $4,500,000.

This bill creates a $4.5 million grant program to reimburse New Jersey school districts for costs incurred when expanding their procurement of locally grown food for students. It directly affects eligible school districts participating in federal meal programs (like National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs), requiring them to submit plans for new or expanded local food sourcing beyond current baseline levels. The program reimburses documented costs for minimally processed local foods (like fruits, vegetables, or grains grown in New Jersey), excluding fluid dairy milk. School districts must implement new policies to increase local food access during school meals or summer programs to qualify for reimbursement.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $4.5M grant to reimburse schools for local food procurement, directly enhancing school meal programs and student nutrition within educational funding framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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

A 1759: Establishes pilot program to create student mental health assistance programs in selected school districts.

This bill establishes a four-year pilot program for up to 15 New Jersey school districts to create confidential mental health assistance programs for students in grades K-12. The programs will identify students facing mental health challenges (including those related to family, school, or personal issues), provide voluntary counseling and support services, and connect students with community resources - all while maintaining strict confidentiality. Districts must apply with funding plans, and participating schools will track student participation and outcomes. After the pilot, the state will evaluate the program’s effectiveness and recommend whether to expand it statewide.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes confidential mental health programs for K-12 students, enhancing support services and access to care, directly advancing educational well-being indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes school-based mental health programs providing confidential counseling and resource connections, directly advancing mental health services for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 15, 2026

A 3881: Requires Commissioner of Education to take certain action concerning preliminary State school aid notices and school district budgets and creates New Jersey Education Funding Portal; modifies certain provisions in school funding law.

This bill requires the New Jersey Commissioner of Education to provide school districts with two key notices annually: a preliminary notice of the minimum state aid amount due for the next school year (by the end of the first week in December, starting 2026) and a maximum aid notice within two days of the Governor's budget message. It mandates the creation of a New Jersey Education Funding Portal to centralize these notices, along with district-specific adequacy budgets and projected local funding rates. The bill also modifies how state aid is calculated, requiring the use of budget year pupil counts with adjustments for actual counts in the following school year. These changes directly affect all New Jersey public school districts by improving the transparency and timing of funding information for budget planning.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates timely funding notices and creates a centralized portal for school aid, improving transparency and planning for districts - strengthening educational funding administration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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

A 3786: Establishes Digital Divide Solutions Grant Program in DOE to assist public schools in purchase of connected devices and Internet access for students during periods of remote instruction.

This bill establishes a grant program within New Jersey's Department of Education to help public school districts, charter schools, and renaissance schools provide connected devices (like laptops or tablets), Wi-Fi hotspots, mobile internet access, and related equipment to students lacking them during remote learning. The grants cover full costs for devices per student, internet access per household, device accessories (e.g., cases, headsets), and insurance for theft or damage, funded primarily by federal pandemic relief funds like the CARES Act. Schools must return equipment within five days after remote instruction ends, use 95% of funds for devices (with 5% for family training on internet safety), and report on purchased items and remaining access gaps within one year. The program directly supports students and families affected by the digital divide during school closures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grant program to fund devices/internet access, expanding student educational access during remote learning.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds devices and internet access for students lacking them during remote learning, directly expanding digital equity and internet access as per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Online Safety

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passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 2195: Directs DOH to develop guidelines for school districts and institutions of higher education concerning student vaping awareness campaigns.*

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Education (DOE) to create and distribute annual guidelines for school districts and colleges. The guidelines must include research-backed materials on vaping's health risks (lung effects, mental health, comparison to smoking, dangers to pregnant people and children), age-appropriate anti-vaping campaigns, decision-making tools to resist peer pressure, and promotional materials for students from middle school through college. Schools and colleges must use these guidelines to implement campus anti-vaping programs. The DOH and DOE will update the guidelines yearly and post them online with additional resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires DOE/DOH to create anti-vaping guidelines for schools, enhancing student health education programs through research-backed materials and age-appropriate campaigns.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates health risk education on vaping's effects, including mental health, to prevent harm and promote student health awareness.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Mental Health

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

A 215: Requires public schools to provide age-appropriate information to students in grades nine through 12 on United States military and veterans.

This bill (A 215) requires New Jersey public schools with grades 9-12 to hold two annual events. First, a 30-minute assembly in November (coinciding with Veterans Day) providing age-appropriate content about the U.S. military structure, veterans' contributions, ROTC, and service academies. Second, a separate veterans appreciation event, such as honoring veterans, featuring veteran speakers, or participating in military-focused educational activities. Schools must consult local veterans' associations to help plan the appreciation event. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment for the first full school year after passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates new curriculum content on military/veterans for grades 9-12, enhancing student educational programs through required assemblies and events.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates schools to educate students on veterans' contributions and hold appreciation events, directly recognizing service per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

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

A 729: Requires State Board of Education to establish pathway for interstate reciprocity for certificate of eligibility and certificate of eligibility with advanced standing.

This bill creates a permanent pathway for teachers from other states to obtain New Jersey teaching certifications without additional testing. It establishes two specific routes: one for standard "certificate of eligibility" (CE) and another for "certificate of eligibility with advanced standing" (CEAS). To qualify, teachers must hold a valid out-of-state certificate in a comparable subject or grade level, have taught in that state within the last two years, provide two recommendation letters, pass a background check, and meet New Jersey's residency requirements. The bill explicitly prohibits requiring new teachers to complete performance assessments or basic skills tests as a condition of certification.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill removes testing barriers for out-of-state teachers, facilitating certification and supporting teacher recruitment in NJ schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3693: Expands limits on use of restraint and seclusion to all students and imposes certain data collection and training requirements on DOE.

This bill (S 3693) expands restrictions on physical restraint and seclusion to apply to **all students** in New Jersey public schools - not just students with disabilities - as previously required. It mandates schools to collect data on restraint/seclusion incidents, provide annual staff training on safe techniques, and immediately notify parents when restraint is used (with written reports within 48 hours). The bill also prohibits prone-position restraint without a physician’s written authorization and requires documented behavioral intervention plans within one month of any restraint incident. These changes aim to enhance student safety while standardizing procedures across all public schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands student safety protections in schools by restricting restraint/seclusion for all students, requiring training and data collection to improve school environment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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