Following the start of the new fiscal year, Governor Murphy has signed several education-related bills into law, which follow below. Many bills relevant to boards of education remain on his desk awaiting signature, and any updates to those will be featured in future editions of School Board Notes.
Signed Into Law
The governor has signed the following education-related bills into law since July 1:
Expanding Early Childhood Education S-3910/A-5717 (P.L.2025, c.100, signed July 9, 2025), or the “New Jersey Universal Preschool and Kindergarten Act,” makes various updates to preschool funding and sets new kindergarten requirements. The law effectively codifies into statute the state’s existing preschool expansion aid program, and also will require all elementary school districts to offer free, full-day kindergarten to all five-year-old students by the 2029-2030 school year. More details on the law can be found in the July 1 edition of School Board Notes. Relatedly, the governor signed A-5908/S-4695 (P.L.2025, c.102, signed July 9, 2025), which amends the FY2026 Appropriations Act to align language in the budget with S-3910/A-5717.
In summary, regarding preschool expansion, the law does the following:
- Requires the NJ Department of Education (DOE) to provide annual preschool expansion grants;
- Codifies and revises the requirements for preschool education aid;
- Establishes a three-year Preschool Cost-Sharing Pilot Program;
- Establishes a Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee, which will be composed of representatives of various State agencies and the New Jersey Legislature;
- Requires the DOE, the Department of Children and Families (DCF), and the Department of Human Services (DHS) to maintain and annually update certain information regarding preschool and child care providers on their respective websites;
- Requires the DOE, the DCF, and the DHS to annually submit a report to the Legislature on the status of preschool education in the state and the efficacy of the mixed-delivery method of preschool education; and
- Requires State agencies to publish guidance on a variety of topics related to expanding access to high-quality preschool education in areas of greatest need.
The legislation went into effect immediately upon the governor’s signature.
The Department of Education also released the Preschool Education Aid notice of funding opportunity, on the Early Childhood Education Preschool website, to local educational agencies (LEAs) for the 2025-2026 school year. This opportunity is open to any LEA in New Jersey that is not currently receiving preschool education aid and offers full-day kindergarten. Non-operating LEAs are eligible to apply in collaboration with a LEA that provides an educational program to their kindergarten students.
“Our association is thrilled to back this unprecedented legislation that demonstrates New Jersey’s long-term commitment to expanding access to early child education. It’s the right thing to do for the youngest children in New Jersey’s public schools. Beyond their preschool and kindergarten years, this investment in programs and facilities will establish a firm foundation for ongoing success in school and careers. We also are aware that school districts will need solid financial support to continue providing high-quality early childhood programs, and look forward to working with all stakeholders to give them the resources they will require,” said Dr. Timothy J. Purnell, Executive Director and CEO of the New Jersey School Boards Association. “In particular, we would like to thank Governor Murphy, Majority Leader Ruiz, Assemblywoman Katz, Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson, Speaker Coughlin, Senate President Scutari and Commissioner Dehmer for their leadership and collaboration on this critical issue.”
Governor Murphy’s press release, published in conjunction with a bill signing event in Plainfield attended by Tammeisha Smith and Executive Director/CEO Dr. Timothy Purnell, also featured quotes from statewide leaders concerning the legislation:
“With today’s bill signing, we are moving forward in making free, universal preschool and free, full-day kindergarten a reality in every corner of our state. We know that access to high-quality early education programs is critical for our children and that it can set the tone for the rest of their academic careers. It is in these settings that our children begin to foster literacy skills and engage in social and emotional development, both of which can positively impact their lives,” said Governor Murphy. “Expanding access to high-quality early childhood education has been the cornerstone of my administration’s approach to setting our children on a path to lifelong success. We have already seen remarkable success in bringing state-funded preschool to hundreds of New Jersey communities, and today’s action will ensure this trajectory continues so that New Jersey remains the best place in the nation to raise a family.”
“Today’s bill signing cements New Jersey’s national leadership in providing exceptional preschool education,” said Department of Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer. “By prioritizing access for low-income students, fostering collaboration with community partners, and ensuring all students have access to full-day kindergarten, these bills codify the administration’s longstanding efforts to expand preschool access and strengthen our state’s commitment to early childhood education. This step marks an important milestone in advancing New Jersey’s dedication to families and the long-term success of our youngest learners.”
“A child’s earliest years are when curiosity blooms and the foundation for lifelong learning is built. But today, with childcare costs soaring to the level of college tuition, too many families are being forced to choose between their child’s potential and their household budget. Expanding access to affordable preschool and kindergarten isn’t just good policy — it’s a smart investment in our state’s future,” said Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, the bill’s prime sponsor in the Senate. “The ‘New Jersey Universal Preschool and Kindergarten Act’ is a major step forward, setting clear standards, increasing state support, and ensuring that more children have the chance to start strong. By prioritizing early learning, we’re giving working families the tools they need to thrive and unlock the full potential of the next generation.”
The NJSBA supported the bill and worked closely with the sponsors, DOE, and various stakeholders over the past several months in crafting the final product. NJSBA noted in committee testimony that the state must provide necessary resources to districts who may otherwise be unable to launch free, full-day kindergarten on their own by 2029.
Preschool Services Contracts S-4476/A-5780 (P.L.2025, c.101, signed July 9, 2025) exempts contracts for preschool education services provided by a licensed childcare provider or Head Start program and supported by preschool education aid from public advertising and bidding, and permits the contracts to be awarded by a resolution of the board of education. The law also extends the maximum allowable length of such contracts from two to three years.
The NJSBA supported the bill.
IEP Meeting Guidelines & Working Group A-5492/S-3982 (signed July 22, 2025) requires certain information to be provided to a parent at least two business days prior to an annual individualized education program team meeting and establishes a working group within the NJDOE. Under the law, at least two days prior to an IEP meeting, a school must provide a student’s parent or guardian with a written statement of items to be discussed at the meeting, including 1) the student’s current levels of academic and functional performance; 2) a list of the names of any required IEP team members who are seeking to be excused from participation in the IEP team meeting accompanied by their input into programs and services for which they are responsible, and 3) an invitation for the parent or guardian to provide input and feedback on proposed services and programs. The law also establishes an IEP Improvement Working Group to provide recommendations to the NJDOE regarding methods to improve the development and implementation of IEPs, and to ensure parental involvement in the process. The working group will include two school board members.
The NJSBA supported the bill.
No-Fee Option for School Lunch Payments A-5263/S-3961 (P.L.2025, c.94, signed July 8, 2025) requires boards of education to offer a no-fee option to parents and guardians for making school lunch and other types of payments. The no-fee option will need to be provided at a time and place convenient for students’, parents’ and guardians’ use. The law requires any payment processing platform used by a school district to provide users with information on user fees, and requires any communications requesting payment for school meals, field trips, activity fees or other goods or services to include information on the fees associated with use of a payment processing platform.
The NJSBA was monitoring the bill.
Protecting Student Data A-5469/S-4162 (P.L.2025, c.95, signed July 8, 2025) amends existing law to limit the disclosure of financial information. The amended law requires that a waiver template or form developed by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), a board of education, or a board of trustees of a charter school, may only request the student’s name, telephone number, email address, and the date and signature of the person submitting the waiver. Under the law, school districts and charter schools are prohibited from using or disclosing the waiver submitted under P.L.2023, c.295, or any personal information contained within the waiver, without the informed consent of the student or the student’s parent or guardian. The 2023 law requires high school students to complete financial aid forms (e.g., FAFSA) as a prerequisite to graduate.
The NJSBA supported the bill.
Mental Health Resources on ID Cards S-3769/A-4897 (signed July 22, 2025) revises existing statute to require public schools and higher education institutions that issue student identification cards to print the telephone number for mental health and suicide crisis resources, as determined by the Commissioner of Human Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education. The law specifies that its provisions will first apply to new and replacement cards issued in the 2026-2027 school year.
The NJSBA supported the bill.
School Meal Nutrition Standards S-2167/A-1406 (signed July 22, 2025) requires all schools in New Jersey to comply with previous nutrition standards for the National School Lunch Program and federal School Breakfast Program adopted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The law stipulates that schools will be required to comply with more stringent nutrition standards that may be adopted in the future. The law: 1) will apply to both public and nonpublic schools; 2) specifically references federal nutrition standards adopted in 2012, 2016, and 2024; and 3) will apply to “competitive foods” sold at schools in addition to meals served through the USDA’s school meal programs.
The NJSBA was monitoring the bill.
To view the full text of any of the bills summarized above, please visit the New Jersey Legislature’s website.
