Education (Student Health)

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

A 1739: Permits certain use of virtual or remote instruction by schools during inclement weather to meet minimum 180-day school year requirement.

This New Jersey bill allows school districts to count virtual or remote instruction days toward meeting the state's 180-day school year requirement when schools close for more than three consecutive days due to declared emergencies (like severe weather or public health crises). It requires districts to submit approved virtual programs to the education commissioner, ensuring equal access for all students - including those with disabilities - and that virtual days count for attendance, graduation credits, and course completion. The bill also mandates guidance on addressing technology access gaps, impacts on school meals and standardized testing, and ensures teachers covered by collective bargaining agreements receive full compensation during closures. It directly affects public school districts, charter schools, and their staff during emergency closures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures educational continuity during closures by allowing virtual days to count toward required school days, maintaining access for all students including those with disabilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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

A 3243: Requires schools to universally provide free meals to all students, regardless of whether students are federally eligible for free or reduced price meals.

This bill requires all New Jersey public and nonpublic schools participating in federal meal programs to provide free breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, regardless of household income or federal eligibility status. It eliminates the current requirement for schools to verify family income or collect household data to determine meal eligibility. The policy change applies directly to all students in participating schools and replaces the existing income-based system with universal provision. The bill amends existing statutes to remove income verification requirements for meal eligibility under the National School Lunch Program and federal School Breakfast Program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUniversal free meals eliminate income barriers, expanding access to nutritious food for all students and directly supporting educational equity and access in K-12 schools.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill eliminates school data collection for meal eligibility, reducing personal data exposure and aligning with data privacy protection (a key technology policy area).80% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3429: Establishes Office of Community Schools; appropriates $10 million.

This bill creates the Office of Community Schools within New Jersey's Department of Education to support public schools, charter schools, and renaissance schools in implementing community-based educational models. The office will provide training, grants, and technical assistance to schools adopting these models, which integrate educational, health, and family services to address student needs. It allocates $10 million total ($2 million from the state budget and $8 million from federal funds) to establish the office and fund its activities. The office must publish a statewide list of participating schools and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $2M from state budget to fund community schools office, increasing public education spending.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $10M to create Office of Community Schools providing grants, training, and technical assistance for community-based educational models integrating health/family services, directly funding and enhancing school programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Student Health

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

A 4204: Establishes pilot program in DOE to use therapy dogs in public elementary school wellness programs.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a pilot program for therapy dogs in elementary school wellness programs, directly enhancing student mental health initiatives within K-12 education.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTherapy dogs in school wellness programs directly support student mental health services, aligning with healthcare topic of mental health initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health

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passed · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 3453: Establishes pilot program in DOE to use therapy dogs in public elementary school wellness programs.

This bill establishes a 3-year pilot program in New Jersey's public elementary schools to test the use of therapy dogs in wellness initiatives. Participating school districts must apply with details about their schools, student wellness programs, and their specific plans for incorporating therapy dogs. The Department of Education will select two districts from each of the state's three regions (southern, central, northern), ensuring representation across urban, suburban, and rural areas. The program requires the DOE to provide guidance on therapy dog activities, handler training, dog health monitoring, and insurance, and mandates a final report evaluating the program's impact on student academic performance and health outcomes by June 2029.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a pilot program for therapy dogs in public elementary school wellness initiatives, enhancing student programs and well-being within K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTherapy dogs in school wellness programs directly support mental health services for students, aligning with healthcare topic indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health

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

A 1608: Requires certain school districts to include fitness and nutrition wellness program as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

This bill requires New Jersey school districts serving kindergarten through sixth grade to create and include a fitness and nutrition wellness program within their Comprehensive Health and Physical Education curriculum. The program must teach students about healthy food groups, the benefits of balanced diets and exercise for physical/mental health, and include workshops for parents/guardians. It directly affects K-6 public school districts across the state. The law takes effect immediately, with implementation required in the first full school year after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of fitness/nutrition wellness programs in K-6 health curriculum, directly enhancing student health education content and program offerings.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates K-6 wellness programs teaching nutrition, exercise benefits for physical/mental health, directly advancing public health education under healthcare topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health

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

A 3461: Requires each school district to have certified school nurse at each school building in district.

This bill requires every New Jersey public school district to employ a certified school nurse at each individual school building within the district. It directly affects all public school districts and their staffing requirements. The key provision amends existing law to mandate that every school building must have a certified school nurse present, rather than allowing districts to provide nursing services across multiple buildings with a single nurse. Districts may still supplement with non-certified nurses, but only if those nurses are assigned to the same building or school complex as the certified nurse. This changes current practice by requiring certified nursing presence at every building level.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates certified nursing staff at all school buildings, enhancing student health services and safety in K-12 schools per bill's core requirement.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates certified school nurses in every school building, improving student access to health services within public education system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Healthcare Workforce

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

A 3914: Directs Department of Agriculture to establish "NJ Whole Food" pilot program; appropriates $1,000,000.

This bill directs New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to create a two-year "NJ Whole Food" pilot program in school cafeterias, using $1 million in state funds. It requires the department to select at least three school districts, partner with food vendors, hire staff, and buy equipment to serve meals made from minimally processed whole foods (free of added sugar and artificial additives). The program must track health, learning, and cost impacts, and the department must submit a report to the legislature within three years with findings and recommendations on whether to continue the program. The pilot expires upon submission of this report.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $1,000,000 for school food pilot program, directly funding a public service initiative under state budget.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates $1M for school cafeteria pilot program serving whole foods, targeting health/learning impacts - directly funds K-12 meal programs to improve student well-being and educational outcomes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds school nutrition program with whole foods to improve student health outcomes, aligning with public health initiatives under healthcare policy.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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

A 4232: Requires public school instruction in suicide prevention to be provided in grades kindergarten through 12 and include certain elements.

This bill requires all New Jersey public schools to teach suicide prevention and related mental health education in every grade from kindergarten through 12th grade. It mandates that the State Board of Education revise curriculum standards within 180 days to include eight specific elements, such as recognizing suicide warning signs, understanding mental health's connection to overall health, identifying support resources, and addressing stigma. The instruction must be age-appropriate and evidence-based, covering topics like risk factors, protective factors, and the relationship between mental health and substance abuse. Implementation begins with the first full school year after the bill takes effect.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates suicide prevention curriculum in all K-12 grades, enhancing student mental health education programs as part of required curriculum standards.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates suicide prevention and mental health education in all grades, directly advancing mental health services within public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health Substance Abuse

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

A 829: Requires school districts to implement policy pertaining to use in school setting of medical devices that require utilization of district's internet.

This New Jersey bill requires school districts to create policies for students using internet-connected medical devices (like remote monitoring tools) prescribed by healthcare providers. The policies must be developed within 90 days and cover parental information sharing, strict data privacy protections, and staff training. School districts must also maintain necessary technology infrastructure, with funding available through a new "Medical Device Technology Fund" grant program. Districts must annually report student usage numbers, implementation challenges, and suggestions for improvement to the state education commissioner. The bill directly affects school districts, students with medical devices, and their parents/guardians.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates Medical Device Technology Fund for school infrastructure and mandates data privacy policies, directly supporting educational access for students with medical needs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school policies for medical devices with data privacy, staff training, and new grant funding to support student access to healthcare technology.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires strict data privacy protections for medical devices on school networks, mandates staff training, and creates funding for infrastructure - directly advancing data privacy and cybersecurity in technology use.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Telehealth Data Privacy

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