Capitol Watch: Summer 2026
View below to see the NJSBA Capitol Watch Newsletter roundup of education-related legislation advancing in Trenton and our Association’s positions.
Scroll down to read the entire listing of education-related legislation NJSBA monitored this quarter; to go to a specific topic, click on the appropriate topic category button below. This quarter’s newsletter also features a breakdown of the FY2027 state budget.
To view the full text of any of the bills summarized below, please visit the New Jersey Legislature’s website.
FY2027 Appropriations Act
As per usual, perhaps the biggest news out of Trenton this summer was the enactment of the State budget. For additional information and education-related highlights of the FY2027 Appropriations Act, please see the NJSBA’s July 1, 2026 School Board Notes article Legislature Adopts Fiscal Year 2027 Spending Plan in Last-Minute Votes.
New Laws
Since the April 2026 edition of Capitol Watch, the Governor has signed the following education-related bills into law.
S-1370 | Support
Summary Requires new flooring for schools, community centers and child care centers to be certified mercury-free.
Sponsors Sen. Lagana (D38), Sen. Mukherji (D32), Asm. Calabrese (D36), Asm. Stanley (D18), Asm. Danielsen (D17)
Status Signed by the governor on May 7, 2026 (P.L.2026, c.11).
A-5330 | Support
Summary Permits Director of Division of Pensions and Benefits to initiate temporary transfer of funds in certain circumstances.
Sponsors Asw. Reynolds-Jackson (D15), Sen. Ruiz (D29), Sen. Turner (D15)
Status Signed by the governor on June 30, 2026 (P.L.2026, c.28).
A-3882 | Support
Summary Requires public schools to post link to subsidized school meals application, and certain informational videos related to application, in prominent place on Internet website.
Sponsors Sen. Ruiz (D29), Sen. McKnight (D31), Asm. Coughlin (D19), Asw. Quijano (D20), Asm. Hutchinson (D4)
Status Signed by the governor on June 18, 2026 (P.L.2026, c.14).
A-4678 | Monitoring
Summary Clarifies payments for non-resident students enrolled in renaissance school projects.
Sponsors Asm. Greenwald (D6), Asm. Spearman (D5), Sen. Cruz-Perez (D5)
Status Signed by the governor on July 8, 2026 (P.L.2026, c.39).
Bills on the Governor’s Desk
Student Health / Online Safety
S-4413 | Support & Express Concerns
Summary Establishes School-Based Partnerships for Access and Resilience for Kids program in DCF; requires school districts to develop mental health support and partnership programs; makes an appropriation.
Sponsors Sen. Scutari (D22), Sen. Vitale (D19), Asw. Carter (D22), Asw. Katz (D8), Asm. Kearney (D21)
Status Passed in Senate 31-6 on June 30; Passed in Assembly 71-0-8 and sent to Governor June 30
Notes Throughout the legislative process, the NJSBA provided verbal testimony citing the need for stronger student mental health infrastructure that preserves the success of NJ4S while simultaneously empowering districts to enhance services for high-acuity mental health needs.
A-4014 | Support
Summary Establishes Social Media Research Center at four-year public institution of higher education.
Sponsors Asw. Katz (D8), Asw. Morales (D34), Sen. Mukherji (D32), Sen. Greenstein (D14)
Status Approved by the Assembly 56-19-3 on June 30; Approved by the Senate 26-14 and sent to Governor on June 30
S-3412 | Support
Summary Requires Social Media Research Center to research and make recommendations concerning addictive social media behaviors.
Sponsors Sen. Mukherji (D32), Sen. Greenstein (D14), Asw. Katz (D8), Asm. Miller (D4), Asw. Drulis (D16)
Status Approved by the Assembly 68-9-2 on June 30; Approved by the Senate 31-9 and sent to Governor on June 30
A-4015 | Support
Summary “New Jersey Kids Code Act”; adopts New Jersey Age-Appropriate Design Code and requires certain online service providers to implement certain measures concerning minors’ use of online service.
Sponsors Asw. Katz (D8), Asw. Sweeney (D25), Asw. Peterpaul (D11), Sen. Mukherji (D32), Sen. Greenstein (D14)
Status Approved by the Assembly 72-5-0 on June 30; Approved by the Senate 36-4 and sent to Governor on June 30
Staffing and Labor Issues
S-2962 | Monitoring
Summary Provides seniority service credit to educational support professionals for military service.
Sponsors Sen. Mukherji (D32), Sen. Amato (R9), Asw. Katz (D8), Asw. Murphy (D7), Asw. McCoy (D14)
Status Approved by the Senate 36-0 on May 28; approved by the Assembly 79-0-0 and sent to Governor on June 30.
Board Governance and Elections
S-4162 | Monitoring
Summary “Affordable Power Purchase Agreements Extension Act”; concerns extension of certain public entity contracts related to energy conservation and renewable energy production.
Sponsors Sen. McKeon (D27), Sen. Greenstein (D14) / Asw. Swain (D38), Asm. Greenwald (D6), Asw. Simmons (D3)
Status Approved by the Assembly 58-21-0 on June 30; Approved by the Seante 36-4 and sent to Governor on June 30
S-170 | Monitoring
Summary Requires Commissioner of Education to recommend dates for spring break in school districts.
Sponsors Sen. Diegnan (D18), Sen. Ruiz (D29), Asm. Karabinchak (D18)
Status Approved by the Seante 27-13 on June 30; approved by the Assembly 66-13-0 and sent to Governor on June 30.
Other Legislative Activity
The Legislature also took action on the following bills this quarter. As of this writing, these bills have not yet made it to the Governor’s desk and are at various stages of the legislative process. For additional information, please visit the legislature’s webpage.
Board Governance and Elections
S-4064 | Support
Summary Exempts school refunding bond issuances from prior Local Finance Board approval under certain circumstances.
Sponsors Sen. Greenstein (D14), Sen. Turner (D15)
Status Approved by the Senate Education Committee and referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
S-4116 | Monitoring
Summary Requires public participation be allowed as component of certain public meetings.
Sponsors Sen. Steinhardt (R23), Sen. Space (R24)
Status Approved by the Senate 40-0
Curriculum and Instruction
S-3245 | Oppose
Summary Revises high school student financial aid application requirements.
Sponsors Sen. Turner (D15), Sen. Singer (R30)
Status Approved by the Senate 34-6.
Notes The NJSBA provided verbal testimony.
S-2912 | Seeking Amendments
Summary Requires instruction on voting in curriculum of students in grade 12 as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies.
Sponsors Sen. Mukherji (D32), Sen. Gopal (D11)
Status Approved by the Senate 40-0.
Notes The NJSBA provided verbal testimony.
S-4307 | Support
Summary “New Jersey History Day Act.”
Sponsors Sen. Diegnan (D18), Sen. Beach (D6)
Status Approved by the Senate 40-0.
S-1343 | Monitoring
Summary Permits students to be eligible for high school graduation credits in career readiness or career, and technical education for completing county fire academy course under certain circumstances.
Sponsors Sen. Pennacchio (R26), Sen. Bucco (R25)
Status Passed in Senate 40-0.
School Funding
S-1767 | Support
Summary Eliminates use of census-based funding of special education aid in school funding law.
Sponsors Sen. Singleton (D7), Sen. Gopal (D11)
Status Approved by the Senate Education Committee and referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Notes The NJSBA provided verbal testimony.
S-4118 | Support, Express Concerns
Summary “Fairness for School Districts in Development Restricted Areas Act”; provides additional State school aid to certain school districts located in municipalities that are part of Highlands or Pinelands preservation areas.
Sponsors Sen. Bucco (R25), Sen. Tiver (R8)
Status Posted for “Discussion Only” by the Senate Education Committee.
Notes The NJSBA provided verbal testimony supporting the intent but urging the legislature to consider the entire school funding formula.
S-4366 / A-5153 | Monitoring
Summary Permits unexpended State aid for nonpublic school nursing services and nonpublic school security services to be used to support other program.
Sponsors Sen. Gopal (D11), Sen. Singer (R30), Asm. Schnall (D30), Asw. Reynolds-Jackson (D15), Asm. Schaer (D36)
Status S-4366 has been approved by the Senate Education Committee and referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee; A-5153 was approved by the Assembly 78-1-0 on June 30.
S-4330 | Support, Express Concerns
Summary Prohibits reductions in State school aid for certain school districts in 2026-2027 school year.
Sponsors Sen. Greenstein (D14)
Status Posted for “Discussion Only” by the Senate Education Committee.
Notes The NJSBA provided verbal testimony appreciating the bill’s intent, but urging the legislature to consider the entire school funding formula.
S-4281 / A-5239 | Monitoring
Summary Modifies calculation of preschool education aid for certain school districts.
Sponsors Sen. Sarlo (D36), Sen. Wimberly (D35), Asm. Calabrese (D36), Asm. Abdelaziz (D35), Asm. Karabinchak (D18)
Status S-4281 has been approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee; A-5239 has been approved by the Assembly Budget Committee
School Security
S-569 | Monitoring
Summary Establishes County-Based School Security Pilot Program in DOE; appropriates $15 million.
Sponsors Sen. Beach (D6), Sen. Turner (D15)
Status Approved by the Senate Education Committee and referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Special Education
A-1646 | Monitoring
Summary Establishes timelines for review and approval by Commissioner of Education of annual certified audits submitted by approved private schools for students with disabilities.
Sponsors Asw. Kane (D6), Asw. Bagolie (D27)
Status Approved by the Assembly Education Committee and referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Staffing and Labor Issues
A-1161 / S-2136 | Oppose, Seeking Amendments
Summary Requires employers to include in job posting whether posting is for existing position and sets additional job posting requirements.
Sponsors Asm. Danielsen (D17), Asw. Speight (D29), Sen. Moriarty (D4)
Status A-1161 has been approved by the Assembly Labor Committee and referred to the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee; S-2136 has been approved by the Senate Labor Committee and referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Notes The NJSBA submitted written testimony and provided verbal testimony.
S-4264 | Support, Seeking Amendments
Summary Increases days of paid leave of absence for public employees who serve in a Reserve component of the United States Armed Forces.
Sponsors Sen. Diegnan (D18), Sen. Beach (D6)
Status Approved by the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee
Notes The NJSBA provided verbal testimony requesting amendments to establish a reimbursement process.
A-2558 | Monitoring
Summary Permits retired school business administrators to be reemployed by school districts for periods of longer than two years.
Sponsors Asw. Bagolie (D27), Asw. Carter (D22)
Status Approved by the Assembly Education Committee and referred to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.
S-533 | Monitoring
Summary Concerns training of employees about access to public facilities for individuals with service or guide dogs.
Sponsors Sen. Beach (D6), Sen. Bucco (R25)
Status Approved by the Senate Labor Committee and by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Student Health and Safety
S-4151 | Oppose, Seeking Amendments
Summary Authorizes Class Three special law enforcement officers to provide security in places of religious worship; makes certain clarifications concerning their use in nonpublic schools.
Sponsors Sen. Cryan (D20), Sen. Beach (D6)
Status Approved by Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
Note NJSBA provided verbal testimony seeking amendments to make these expansions of SLEO III services into nonpublic schools permissive rather than mandatory.
S-4260 / A-5085 | Monitoring
Summary Establishes pilot program in certain counties to provide funding for nonpublic school nursing services through county consortium of nonpublic schools.
Sponsors Sen. Lagana (D38), Asm. Tully (D38), Asm. Karabinchak (D18)
Status S-4260 has been approved by the Senate Education Committee and Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee; A-5085 has been approved by the Assembly Education Committee.
S-1340 / A-2042 | Support
Summary Requires Commissioner of Education to develop guidance on accommodations for certain students fasting for religious or medical reasons.
Sponsors Sen. Pennacchio (R26), Sen. Stack (D33)
Status Passed in Senate 36-0; approved by the Assembly Education Committee and referred to the Assembly Community Development and Womens Affairs Committee
S-3453 | Support
Summary Establishes pilot program in DOE to use therapy dogs in public elementary school wellness programs.
Sponsors Sen. Beach (D6), Sen. Bucco (R25)
Status Passed in Senate 36-0.
A-1492 / S-1650 | Support
Summary Requires Secretary of Agriculture to establish Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Grant Program to reimburse school districts for costs expended in sourcing and procuring local foods for students; appropriates $4,500,000.
Sponsors Asm. Freiman (D16), Asw. McCoy (D14), Asw. Drulis (D16), Sen. Zwicker (D16), Sen. Turner (D15)
Status A-1492 has been approved by the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and the Assembly Appropriations Committee; S-1650 has been approved by the Senate Economic Growth Committee and referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
S-4043 | Monitoring
Summary Requires youth and sports organizations to obtain criminal history record background checks of certain volunteers, employees and organizers.
Sponsors Sen. Bucco (R25), Sen. Corrado (R40), Sen. Vitale (D19)
Status Approved by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee and referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
S-1819 | Support
Summary Requires nonpublic school to forward student discipline records of students who transfer to public school.
Sponsors Sen. Singleton (D7), Sen. Mukherji (D32)
Status Approved by the Senate 39-0.
Transportation
S-2456 | Support & Seeking Amendments
Summary Requires school bus personnel members to call 911 emergency line in potential life-threatening emergencies; requires certain school buses transporting students with disabilities to be equipped with certain safety features; makes appropriation.
Sponsors Sen. Bucco (R25), Sen. Diegnan (D18)
Status Approved by the Senate 40-0.
Notes The NJSBA provided verbal testimony.
S-2620 | Support
Summary Requires State to bear partial cost of transportation of certain homeless students to school.
Sponsors Sen. Gopal (D11), Sen. Mukherji (D32)
Status Approved by the Senate Education Committee and referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Miscellaneous
A-1728 | Support
Summary Prohibits public school from denying admittance to student due to tardiness or violation of dress code or school uniform policy.
Sponsors Asw. Reynolds-Jackson (D15), Asm. Spearman (D5)
Status Approved by the Assembly Education Committee.
S-3715 | Oppose
Summary Establishes requirements for students engaging in certain bias-related conduct.
Sponsors Sen. Timberlake (D34), Sen. McKnight (D31)
Status Approved by the Senate Education Committee and referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Notes The NJSBA provided verbal testimony.
