This New Jersey bill (A1539, "Safe Mobility Education Act") requires public schools to teach pedestrian, cycling, and motor vehicle safety to all students in grades K-12. It mandates the State Board of Education to update curriculum standards to include age-appropriate lessons on topics like bike safety rules, helmet use, visibility gear, legal responsibilities, and consequences of traffic violations. School districts must implement this curriculum starting in the first full school year after the standards are updated, and teachers must complete a required professional development module on the topic. The bill directly affects New Jersey public school students, educators, and school districts through mandatory curriculum changes.
New Jersey bill A 2119 requires the Secretary of Higher Education to establish statewide standards for awarding college credit for prior learning at public colleges and universities. These standards mandate that institutions accept at least 15 credits of prior learning (including work experience, military training, or industry certifications) and create clear processes for assessing credit, transferring credits between schools, and resolving disputes. Public institutions must adopt policies aligned with these standards, either through partnerships with Thomas Edison State University or qualified third parties, while prohibiting per-credit tuition fees for this credit. The bill directly affects students seeking to earn degrees faster and public colleges, which must comply with these requirements starting in the next full academic year.
AR 81 is an Assembly Resolution (not a binding law) urging New Jersey public schools to implement "share tables" in cafeterias. These tables allow students to place unopened, unconsumed food for others to take or donate to food pantries, directly targeting school food waste and food insecurity. The resolution cites USDA data showing 21% of school lunch calories are wasted and notes 9% of New Jersey residents (including 10% of children) face food insecurity. It recommends schools adopt this low-cost, simple initiative to reduce waste, lower disposal costs, and increase food availability for pantries. The resolution has no enforcement power and will be shared with school districts via the Commissioner of Education.
AJR 41 designates March 10 as "Social and Emotional Learning Day" in New Jersey to highlight the importance of integrating evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL) into schools, organizations, and communities. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day through activities that promote SEL competencies like emotional management, empathy, and responsible decision-making. It references New Jersey’s Clayton Model Pilot Program as an existing SEL initiative supporting students, teachers, and families. This is a ceremonial designation with no new funding, regulations, or mandates.
This bill establishes a three-year pilot program within New Jersey's Department of Education to study the use of therapy dogs in public elementary school wellness programs. It directly affects participating school districts that apply to join the program, with the state selecting two districts from each of the southern, central, and northern regions (ensuring urban, suburban, and rural representation). The program requires districts to submit applications detailing their schools, student enrollment, current wellness programs, and plans for integrating therapy dogs. The Department will provide guidance on dog handling, safety, and insurance, and must submit a final report by June 2029 evaluating the program's impact on student attendance, confidence, academic performance, and health outcomes.
New Jersey's bill A3424 requires colleges that already offer priority course registration to extend this benefit to student parents who are New Jersey residents and parents or legal guardians of children under 18. It directly affects student parents attending participating institutions of higher education by adding them to existing priority registration groups (like student-athletes or veterans). The bill mandates institutions to use their current priority registration procedures for eligible student parents and to notify them before each semester's registration period. This policy change expands existing institutional practices without creating new priority systems.
This bill (A3654) clarifies the definition of "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" under New Jersey's Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act to explicitly state that the motivating characteristic need not be limited to the examples listed (such as race, gender, or disability). It expands the scope to include any characteristic that could motivate bullying, making the definition more inclusive. The change directly affects students in New Jersey public schools by ensuring protections cover bullying based on characteristics beyond the previously specified examples. The amendment applies to all school settings, including online communications, and focuses on conduct that disrupts school order or creates a hostile environment.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to create an online system where school districts can share security personnel and equipment during emergencies. The system must be accessible only to authorized school staff, show nearby available resources, and be operational within one year of the bill's effective date. It directs the Department to publish a list of resources needed for different emergency scenarios to help districts prepare. The bill focuses on creating a practical tool for resource coordination, not changing existing security laws or funding. (Procedural bill; summary is concise as requested.)
This bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to create performance-based funding plans for public colleges and universities. It ties a growing percentage of state operating funds (starting at 5% in 2019 and reaching 25% by 2023) to specific student success metrics. County colleges must meet goals like student credit completion and associate's degree attainment, while four-year schools focus on graduation rates, STEM degrees, and reducing achievement gaps. The plans must be transparent, with annual public reporting of each institution's performance and funding allocation.
New Jersey schools would be required to include age-appropriate instruction on menstrual health and hygiene for students in grades four through 12 as part of their existing health and physical education curriculum. The instruction must cover proper use of menstrual products (including risks like Toxic Shock Syndrome), symptoms and effects of menstrual disorders, the impacts of period poverty (lack of access to products, education, and facilities), and how to seek medical help. Before teaching this topic, schools must notify parents or guardians about the curriculum content and state standards. The law takes effect immediately for the first full school year after enactment.
