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 provides two tax benefits: it exempts retail sales of certain school supplies, art supplies, instructional materials, computers under $3,000, and school computer supplies under $1,000 from New Jersey's sales tax when purchased by individuals for non-business use year-round (replacing a temporary back-to-school holiday). It also creates a $500 annual deduction for eligible teachers' unreimbursed classroom expenses, including items like books, pencils, computers, and lab equipment. The tax exemption applies to sales after the fourth month following enactment, while the deduction applies to taxable years starting after the next January 1. These provisions directly affect students purchasing supplies, parents buying school items, and teachers covering classroom costs.
This bill requires New Jersey public schools to include Internet safety and online predator dangers in all existing sexual abuse and assault prevention education for students in preschool through 12th grade. It amends current law (P.L.2019, c.185) to explicitly mandate this content as part of health and physical education curriculum. The Commissioner of Education must consult with specific organizations, including the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking, to develop age-appropriate teaching resources. The policy directly affects all school districts and students in New Jersey's public K-12 system. The bill takes effect 30 days after enactment.
This bill, the "Textbook Access Act," requires textbook publishers to disclose pricing and availability information to faculty or departments at New Jersey's public colleges and universities (like Rutgers, NJIT, and Rowan) when they select course materials. Publishers must reveal the price for college bookstores and indicate when unbundled textbook options (without extra materials like CD-ROMs) are available in the same edition. It also mandates that institutions establish policies encouraging timely ordering to check for used books or digital alternatives, and requires publishers to provide substitute product pricing if the requested textbook is unavailable. The goal is to increase transparency in textbook purchasing to help students save money on required course materials.
New Jersey's S 779 requires high school students in grade 11 and above to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of their graduation requirements, starting in the first full school year after the bill takes effect. Students may request an exemption by submitting a signed form from a parent/guardian or, if 18+, by their own request. The bill also mandates that the state education commissioner provide schools and families clear resources with step-by-step instructions for completing the FAFSA. This policy directly affects New Jersey public high school students and aims to increase access to federal financial aid by integrating FAFSA completion into graduation pathways.
S 1588 creates an annual two-month sales tax holiday in New Jersey for eligible school-related purchases during August and September. It exempts from tax individual shoppers buying computers under $3,000, school computer supplies under $1,000, and specific school supplies (like notebooks and art materials), school art supplies, and instructional materials (such as textbooks and maps) for non-business use. The tax-free period runs from August 1 to September 30 each year, directly benefiting families preparing for the school year. This policy aligns with similar tax holidays in 19 states, providing immediate savings without requiring special applications or rebates.
This bill requires New Jersey public school districts to post detailed curriculum plans online for each grade level and course at least 30 days before the school year starts. It mandates that districts include units of study, learning objectives, and specific textbook/material information on their websites, with updates whenever plans change. Parents and legal guardians must be given the opportunity to review all instructional materials before they are used in classrooms. The law aims to increase transparency by making curriculum details and materials accessible to families ahead of instruction.
S 2685 requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction on menstrual health and hygiene for students in grades 4-12 as part of their health and physical education curriculum. The bill mandates teaching about proper use of menstrual products (including risks like Toxic Shock Syndrome), symptoms of menstrual disorders, effects of period poverty, and when to seek medical help. Schools must notify parents before starting this instruction, and the law takes effect for the first full school year after enactment. This directly affects all New Jersey public school districts and their students in the specified grade range.
This bill requires New Jersey public school districts with grades 9-12 to integrate bleed control instruction into their existing health and physical education curriculum, as part of the state's Comprehensive Health and Physical Education standards. It directly affects high school students by adding practical skills for managing severe bleeding injuries. School districts may choose free, non-certification training programs to meet this requirement. The law takes effect immediately, with implementation beginning in the first full school year after enactment. This is a concrete curriculum change focused on student safety, not a broader policy or commentary.
S 67 requires New Jersey public school districts to teach students in grades 9-12 about the dangers of texting while driving as part of their health education curriculum. Starting in the 2021-2022 school year, schools must cover how distracted driving correlates with erratic behavior (like lane-weaving) and provide statistics on related accidents, injuries, and fatalities. The Commissioner of Education will provide sample lesson materials and resources to support this instruction. This bill directly affects all New Jersey public high schools and their 9th-12th grade students through mandated curriculum changes.
