This New Jersey bill requires public school districts to teach artificial intelligence (AI) to students in grades K-12 as part of computer science and design thinking curricula. It mandates instruction on basic AI concepts, foundational user skills, and responsible ethical use, with the state providing age-appropriate teaching resources. Public colleges and universities must also offer AI certificate and degree programs, with the Secretary of Higher Education developing model curricula for these programs in consultation with education and workforce agencies. The model curricula must include course sequences, career pathways, and student outcome standards, taking effect in the first full school and academic year after enactment.
This New Jersey bill (A-1728) prohibits public school districts from denying students admittance due to tardiness or violations of dress code or uniform policies. It specifically allows denial only for clothing indicating gang affiliation with criminal activity. Schools may still enforce other conduct policies not covered by this law. The bill directly affects all public school students and districts in New Jersey, ensuring students cannot be barred from school for these specific infractions.
This bill allows public school students aged 14 and older in New Jersey to receive excused absences for participating in non-partisan election-related activities on general election day. Students must provide documentation - including a supervisor’s signature, activity description, and proof the activity was approved by their school and not partisan - to their school administrators. The bill specifically covers activities like observing polls, simulated voting, or transporting voters, as long as the school board approves them in advance and the student’s academic performance meets school-set standards. Schools may deny excused absences if a student’s academic achievement falls below a board-defined level.
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This bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to provide incoming and enrolled students with information about federal food assistance programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and local resources. Specifically, institutions must include a link to the SNAP application and NJ 211 (a state service for human services referrals) in initial admission offers and semester registration emails. They must also share details about campus food pantries, meal swipe programs, or community food assistance options. The bill, which was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.213, aims to address food insecurity among college students by improving access to existing support systems.
ACR 22 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring New Jersey to fund public school districts (excluding special education) with equal per-pupil state aid. This would change current funding practices where aid per student varies significantly between districts. The amendment specifies the state would not be required to set minimum or maximum funding levels for districts. If approved by voters, it would amend the state constitution to mandate this equal per-pupil funding approach for general school support.
This concurrent resolution (ACR 117) urges the U.S. President to expand access to free menstrual products in schools nationwide. It argues that Title IX - which prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded schools - should be interpreted to require schools to provide menstrual products, addressing how lack of access causes students to miss school or use unsafe alternatives. The resolution cites data showing over half of high school students who menstruate face attendance disruptions due to period poverty, risking health issues like infections. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal force but seeks to encourage federal action through policy interpretation.
This bill creates a new $2 million stipend program to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters in New Jersey. It provides new volunteers aged 18+ with a $750 monthly stipend for 15+ hours of service per month during their first year, administered through the Department of State’s Office of Volunteerism. Firehouses must certify volunteer hours, and the program includes after-school fire service education in grades 6-8 to promote future recruitment. The $2 million appropriation funds the stipends and related initiatives through a dedicated, permanent state fund. The bill directly affects new volunteer firefighters, fire departments, and school districts offering the youth programs.
This bill provides a nonrefundable 10% tax credit for New Jersey taxpayers who donate to eligible schools for specific purposes. It allows credits up to $500 per year for donations funding student meal programs, medical supplies for student treatment, or playground equipment (including shade structures). The credit applies to donations made to public or nonpublic elementary/secondary schools, with taxpayers required to obtain written documentation from the school to claim the credit. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
ACR 107 is a non-binding resolution urging the New Jersey Department of Education to pause the development and implementation of new Student Learning Standards for two years. It directly affects the Department of Education and State Board of Education by requesting a temporary halt to creating new standards, while pending legislative bills about curriculum and learning loss are reviewed. The resolution cites parent concerns about current standards, pandemic-related learning loss, and declining U.S. education rankings as reasons for the pause. It does not change existing standards but asks for a two-year moratorium to allow the Legislature to address related issues.
This bill requires New Jersey public colleges to provide a replacement scholarship to student-athletes who lose their athletic scholarship due to an injury or illness directly related to intercollegiate athletics. If the injury makes a student-athlete medically ineligible to compete (as determined by the institution's medical staff), the school must offer a scholarship equal in value for the remainder of their undergraduate degree program or up to five years total - whichever is shorter. It specifically applies to student-athletes enrolled at public institutions of higher education in New Jersey. The law defines "incapacitating injury or illness" as one directly tied to athletic participation that causes medical ineligibility for competition.
