Both the Senate and Assembly held voting sessions this week and advanced legislation affecting schools in New Jersey. Several committees also met. The New Jersey School Boards Association is monitoring all bills relevant to boards of education and will continue to post timely Legislative Updates in School Board Notes to highlight recent legislative action. For the most up-to-date information regarding specific legislation, please visit the New Jersey Legislature’s website.

On the Governor’s Desk

Following voting sessions on Monday, March 23, the following bill now awaits the Governor’s signature:

Mercury Floor Removal A-1514/S-1370 would prohibit the issuance of construction permits for flooring in schools or childcare centers unless the flooring materials are certified by the manufacturer as mercury-free. In cases where the building has flooring that may contain mercury, the applicant may take the following actions: (1) certify that the existing flooring is mercury-free; (2) certify that an air quality assessment has been conducted to test if mercury vapor levels are within safe limits as recommended by the New Jersey Department of Health; (3) if unsafe mercury levels are found, implement mitigation measures such as adjusting HVAC systems to reduce mercury vapor to acceptable levels; (4) if testing still reveals high mercury levels, the implementation of further mitigation measures or the removal of the flooring; and (5) if all mitigating measures fail, the removal and proper disposal of the flooring.

If flooring must be removed, it must be completed within six months after the final air quality assessment, unless the NJDOH grants a one-time, six-month extension due to factors beyond the applicant’s control, such as supply chain delays or contractor issues. All removal and disposal of flooring must comply with regulations established by the Department of Environmental Protection.

The NJSBA supports the bill, which was passed by the Senate in February and by the Assembly on March 23. The Association successfully obtained amendments in the 2024-2025 session to include the NJDOH’s February 2020 guidance (Evaluation and Management of Mercury-Containing Floors in New Jersey Schools) and its recommendations for exposure mitigation strategies that schools can implement based on airborne mercury levels relative to the recommended maximum contaminant level. These amendments will allow school districts to certify adherence with the NJDOH’s guidance as an alternative to full removal of existing flooring during a flooring project, which could save districts money while protecting the health of students and staff.

Senate Voting Session

The full Senate held a voting session on Monday, March 23 and passed the following legislation:

Excused Absences for Post-Secondary Activities S-2457 would permit excused absences for students participating in college visits, visits to post-secondary technical institutions, and military recruitment activities. The bill would require a student enrolled in grades 11 or 12 to be eligible for a cumulative total of three excused absences per school year for the purpose of college visits or visits to postsecondary technical institutions and a cumulative total of three excused absences per school year to complete a military recruitment-related activity. Such absences would not be included on a student’s transcript, application, employment form or any similar form requested. Such absences would also not be considered when determining if a student has a perfect attendance record for the school year. Under the bill, a military recruitment-related activity means any activity required by the Armed Forces of the United States for enlistment, including, but not limited to, testing, medical or physical evaluations, interviews, and fingerprinting. The bill would take effect in the first full school year following the date of enactment.

The NJSBA supports the bill and previously submitted written testimony highlighting an Association policy adopted at the December 2024 Delegate Assembly. That policy states the following: “The NJSBA believes the New Jersey Department of Education student attendance regulations should include a limited number of state-excused absences per school year for students who seek to participate in activities related to military enlistment that require absence from classroom instruction.” Since that time, the Delegate Assembly adopted an additional relevant policy at its May 2025 meeting: “The NJSBA believes students should be permitted a limited number of state-excused absences for participation in activities related to pursuing a skilled trade post-graduation.” The bill has not yet moved in the Assembly.

Apprenticeship Data in the NJDOE’s School Performance Reports S-1773 would require the NJDOE’s annual School Performance Reports to include the number of students achieving placement following graduation, including placement in an apprenticeship. While not currently a statutory requirement, the NJDOE does currently include in its School Performance Reports the number of students who were enrolled in a United States Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship following high school graduation.

The NJSBA supports the bill, which has not yet moved in the Assembly.

Assembly Voting Session

The full Assembly held a voting session on Monday, March 23 and passed the following legislation:

Vaping Awareness A-2195 would direct the Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Education and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, to develop guidelines for school districts and institutions of higher education to facilitate the implementation of on-campus anti-vaping awareness campaigns targeting student populations. The purpose of the guidelines is to assist school districts, colleges, and universities in equipping students with research-backed information on the dangers of vaping to combat the increased use of e-cigarettes.

The NJSBA supports the bill, which was approved by the Assembly Health Committee earlier this month. It has not yet been introduced in the Senate.

Link to Subsidized School Meals Application A-3882 would, as amended, require public schools to post links to the subsidized school meals application and an informational video produced by the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate regarding the application in a prominent location on the school’s website. The subsidized school meals application is established in state law to determine eligibility for the National School Lunch Program and the federal School Breakfast Program, as well as state supplements to those programs. To receive benefits under federal programs and state supplements, a parent or guardian must complete and submit a subsidized school meals application each school year.

The NJSBA supports the bill, which was approved by the Assembly Education Committee in February and by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on March 19. It has not yet moved in the Senate.

Payments for Non-Resident Students in Renaissance Schools A-4678 concerns the provision of payments for non-resident students who enroll at a renaissance school project. Under the bill, the school district in which a renaissance school project is located would be required to pay the per pupil amount for each student that resides in the district, but for all students enrolled in the renaissance school project that do not reside in the district in which the renaissance school project is located, the bill would require the student’s school district of residence to pay the per pupil amount to the nonprofit entity.

The NJSBA is monitoring the bill, which was approved by the Assembly State and Local Government Committee earlier this month and by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on March 19. Its counterpart in the Senate, S-3614, was also approved by the Senate Education Committee earlier this month.

To view the full text of any of the bills summarized above, please visit the New Jersey Legislature’s website.