This bill provides free tuition at New Jersey public colleges and universities for dependent children and surviving spouses of New Jersey residents who were killed while serving in the U.S. military. It covers the portion of tuition not already covered by other scholarships or aid, applying to institutions like Rutgers, NJIT, and county colleges. Eligibility lasts eight years after high school graduation for children or eight years from the service member's death for surviving spouses. The program begins for the 2022-2023 academic year and is funded through state appropriations.
This bill requires New Jersey school districts receiving preschool education funding to offer a "mixed delivery system," meaning they must provide preschool access through a combination of district-run programs, licensed child care centers, or Head Start. It directly affects school districts serving 3- and 4-year-olds, mandating free full-day preschool for all eligible children in districts with higher concentrations of at-risk students (group A/B and CD districts with ≥40% at-risk pupils), and for at-risk pupils only in other districts. The key mechanism establishes a specific funding formula calculating aid based on how many children are served through each delivery option (district, child care, or Head Start), with districts required to submit a 5-year plan to implement full-day preschool by 2013-14. The policy change focuses on structuring how preschool funding is distributed and delivered, not on creating new programs or outcomes.
S 3224 prohibits public and nonpublic schools in New Jersey from selling or distributing any food or beverage containing non-nutritive sweeteners (such as artificial sugar substitutes like aspartame or sucralose, defined under federal regulations). The bill amends existing school nutrition law to ban these products on school property during the school day, including in vending machines, cafeterias, and fundraisers, effective immediately. It does not apply to medically authorized diets or special needs plans documented in student Individual Education Plans. The legislation directly affects all schools in New Jersey by restricting a specific category of sweeteners in school food offerings.
New Jersey's S 1135 requires colleges and government employers to inform specific people about the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Public and private colleges must provide this information to students with outstanding federal student loans during their final academic semester and when applying for graduation. Government employers must share the same information with employees at hiring and annually thereafter. The details include eligibility requirements (like 120 qualifying payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer) and the program's website, but do not change loan terms or forgiveness eligibility.
S 2181 establishes the "New Economy Opportunity Skills System Pilot Program" to improve collaboration between local workforce development boards, community colleges, and county vocational school districts in New Jersey. The pilot program, operating for three years, requires joint development of workforce training with industry credentials, coordinated marketing, integrated funding planning, and performance tracking using metrics like employment rates and credential attainment. It designates community colleges and vocational schools as preferred providers for workforce training and adult literacy programs, targeting job seekers, workers, and public assistance recipients. The bill appropriates state funds from the Workforce Development Partnership Fund and Supplemental Workforce Fund to support the pilot, with annual progress reports required to the Governor and Legislature. (Note: This bill was withdrawn as approved under P.L.2025, c.375.)
Bill S 1504 creates a formal process for public colleges and universities in New Jersey to merge or consolidate with other public institutions or certain private colleges. It requires participating institutions' governing boards to adopt resolutions and submit joint applications to the Higher Education Secretary for preliminary approval, followed by a detailed merger plan review. The Secretary must assess the merger's necessity and benefits for students, faculty, staff, and communities before issuing final approval, which then requires legislative ratification within 90 days. The bill does not apply to Rutgers University but mandates this process for any merger involving Rutgers as a participant. This ensures structured oversight while preserving institutional rights and funding arrangements post-merger.
S 2050 establishes a $500 one-time grant program for New Jersey college students who complete unpaid short-term internships with state government entities. Administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, the grant covers textbook and course material costs for the student’s next semester. To qualify, students must have finished an unpaid state internship and be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program at a New Jersey institution, with proof of continued enrollment. The bill aims to help offset the average annual textbook cost of over $1,200 for students, as noted by the College Board.
This bill establishes employment stability for high school coaches in New Jersey public school districts. Head coaches (who are tenured or out-of-district employees) receive a three-year contract, while assistant coaches (tenured) get a two-year contract. Coaches are automatically reappointed at the end of their term unless the school board provides 90 days' written notice of non-reappointment. The bill requires school districts to provide written notice of dismissal or pay reduction within five days, allows coaches to request a hearing within 10 days (with legal representation and testimony under oath), and mandates a board decision following the hearing.
This bill, S 1364, provides New Jersey veterans with tuition-free education at their local county college for up to 60 credits. To qualify, veterans must be New Jersey residents who served honorably in the military and apply for all available state, federal, and VA benefits (including the Post-9/11 GI Bill) before receiving this tuition waiver. Military service credits earned at the college count toward the 60-credit limit. The benefit applies only to tuition, not other fees, and takes effect for the first full academic year after enactment.
This bill requires New Jersey public and private colleges and universities receiving state operating aid to implement specific measures regarding sexual harassment and violence. It mandates annual training for designated "responsible employees" (including faculty, campus police, administrators, health staff, and resident advisors) on how to respond to student reports, disclose confidentiality limits to victims, and report incidents to institutional authorities. The training covers reporting requirements for incidents occurring on campus, at institution-related off-campus events, or via electronic communication during school activities. Institutions must investigate all reported incidents and take appropriate action to resolve them.
