This bill requires New Jersey school districts to hire at least one full- or part-time certified nutrition specialist, registered dietitian, or registered dietitian nutritionist. It directly affects school districts (which must comply with staffing requirements) and students (who gain access to nutrition expertise). The key mechanism is a mandatory staffing provision, effective three school years after enactment. The bill cites CDC research linking student nutrition (e.g., intake of fruits, vegetables, and key nutrients) to academic performance, attendance, and grades, positioning nutrition staff as a tool to support these outcomes.
This bill requires New Jersey public schools and colleges to adopt policies explicitly prohibiting antisemitic harassment, intimidation, and bullying, with clear definitions and disciplinary actions like suspension or expulsion for violations. It mandates Holocaust and antisemitism education in K-12 curricula, including lessons on recent antisemitic incidents and the consequences of prejudice. Schools must also provide guidelines distinguishing lawful protests from prohibited conduct, such as vandalism, obstruction, or affiliation with groups like Hamas. The law applies to all public educational institutions in New Jersey, effective upon implementation.
This bill requires New Jersey public and independent colleges to provide specific academic accommodations for students serving in the military (active duty, National Guard, or Reserve). It gives these students options like pass/fail grades, incompletes, or course withdrawals without academic penalty if military duties interfere with classes. Institutions must create clear policies, notify students of their rights, and develop academic contracts with professors to address missed coursework. Additionally, colleges must accept up to 30 credits for undergraduate and 12 for graduate programs based on military training evaluations. The bill directly affects military-affiliated students and all New Jersey higher education institutions.
This bill (S 253) amends New Jersey's Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act to broaden the definition of "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" by explicitly adding "gender identity and expression" and "mental, physical or sensory disability" to the list of protected characteristics. It directly affects all New Jersey public schools, requiring them to address bullying incidents motivated by these characteristics under the expanded definition. The change ensures schools must now consider these factors when investigating and reporting bullying, aligning with existing requirements to disaggregate data by race, gender, sexual orientation, and other categories. This policy update standardizes how schools identify and respond to bullying across all protected groups.
This bill requires all school buses transporting students with special needs in New Jersey to install two safety features: (1) an electronic seat belt alert system that audibly and visually notifies drivers if any seat belt is unfastened during motion, and (2) unique barcodes on the bus interior/exterior that drivers scan after trips to confirm no students were left behind. It directly affects school bus operators and drivers serving special needs students. The Commissioner of Education will develop implementation rules with the Motor Vehicle Commission, and the law takes effect six months after enactment. The bill aims to prevent accidents and ensure student safety during transportation.
This bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to increase Hispanic and Latino representation in leadership roles. It mandates the Secretary of Higher Education to create leadership development programs for Hispanic/Latino faculty, expand pathways for students into academic careers, and develop institutional strategies to address barriers in recruitment and retention. Public institutions must adopt diversity-focused policies for leadership search committees and submit annual reports tracking leadership demographics and program effectiveness. These requirements apply to all 11 public institutions of higher education in New Jersey, with implementation deadlines within 180 days of guidance issuance.
This bill (S 1934) clarifies that New Jersey courts must consider post-high school educational expenses when determining child support for unemancipated children. It specifically adds "higher education factors" to the list of considerations courts must weigh, including a child's need for college and the parents' financial capacity. The bill does not create new funding but requires courts to account for foreseeable college costs in support orders. It directly affects parents obligated to pay child support and courts handling those cases. The change applies only to children who have not become legally independent (e.g., due to disability or ongoing education).
This bill (S 2651) aims to amend New Jersey's Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) eligibility rules. The title indicates it would permit certain substitute teachers to enroll in TPAF, though the provided bill text only includes definitions (like "compensation" and "teacher") without showing the specific amendment enabling this change. The text references existing definitions but does not detail how the bill would alter eligibility for substitute teachers. Without the actual amendment language or clear policy changes in the provided text, a detailed summary of the bill's mechanisms cannot be confirmed. The bill is currently in committee referral status (introduced January 13, 2026).
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.
This bill establishes a 22-member Special Education Transportation Task Force in New Jersey to study and recommend best practices for transporting students receiving special education services. The task force, including education officials, disability advocates, school staff, and parents, must address medical/emergency protocols, staff training, and transportation requirements within 12 months. It directly affects students with special needs, their families, school districts, and transportation providers. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was incorporated into an existing law (P.L.2025, c.301).
