AJR 13 establishes a 7-member "Commission on Apprenticeship Program Promotion" in New Jersey. The commission, appointed by state leaders and agency heads, will study effective ways to promote apprenticeship programs to high school students, focusing on demonstrating the value of the skills gained and resulting economic opportunities. It must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within one year of formation, after which the commission will dissolve. The bill does not create new programs or funding but directs a study on improving outreach to students. This procedural resolution affects high school students and stakeholders in apprenticeship programs by initiating a formal review of promotion strategies.
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.
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.
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.
This bill provides free tuition at New Jersey public colleges and universities for dependent children and surviving spouses of military personnel killed while on duty. Eligible individuals must be New Jersey residents, enrolled full-time in undergraduate programs at designated institutions (like Rutgers, NJIT, or county colleges), and the state covers tuition costs not already covered by other scholarships or aid. Benefits are limited to eight years: from high school graduation for children or from the service member's death for surviving spouses. The program takes effect immediately for the 2020-2021 academic year.
This bill extends New Jersey's existing protections for young students by expanding the grade range covered under restrictions on school expulsions and suspensions. It prohibits expulsions for students in kindergarten through third grade (previously only through second grade), except for gun-related offenses under the "Zero Tolerance for Guns Act." It also bans out-of-school suspensions for these grades, except when the conduct is violent or sexual in nature and endangers others. These changes directly affect all public and charter school students in kindergarten through third grade across New Jersey.
This bill requires New Jersey public schools (including district, charter, and renaissance schools) that employ school psychologists and offer in-person counseling to students in grades K-12 to also provide remote counseling sessions as an option. Schools must allow students to attend sessions remotely unless a school psychologist determines in-person counseling is necessary for the student's well-being. Students retain the right to choose in-person sessions if they prefer, and the bill defines "school psychologist" as someone holding a specific New Jersey certification. The law takes effect immediately for the next full school year.
This bill establishes a $5 million grant program to expand dual enrollment opportunities in career and technical education (CTE) for New Jersey high school students. Public colleges and universities can apply for competitive grants to offer college-level CTE courses on their campuses or in high schools, allowing students to earn college credits while still in high school. Institutions must submit detailed applications outlining their program plans, capacity, and expected student participation, with grants prioritizing programs designed to continue beyond the initial funding period. The Secretary of Higher Education must annually report to the Governor and Legislature on program participation, impact on workforce needs, and recommendations for future funding.
This bill (A 3739) designates May of each year as "Water Safety Month" in New Jersey to raise public awareness about preventing water-related accidents and drowning. It directly affects public schools and students in grades kindergarten through five, encouraging the Department of Education (with the Department of Health) to provide resources for water safety education during this month. Key provisions include supporting school presentations, partnerships with nonprofits, and educational activities focused on age-appropriate safety practices. The bill aims to address drowning as a leading cause of death for young children, per CDC data, through proactive school-based learning.
This bill establishes a three-year pilot program to provide summer reading instruction for New Jersey students not reading at grade level by the end of second grade. It requires participating school districts to apply with data on their elementary schools and past summer program enrollment, with the Commissioner selecting two districts per region (north, central, south) to ensure urban, suburban, and rural representation. The program appropriates $1 million from the state general fund to cover implementation costs, and the Commissioner must evaluate its effectiveness and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature after three years, including recommendations for potential statewide expansion. The bill directly affects second-grade students in selected districts and the state Department of Education.
