By Debra Bradley, Esq. and Jennie Lamon, J.D.
This final week of the 221st Legislative Session has been action-packed with nearly 300 bills considered in the Senate and Assembly combined. The bills that passed both houses of the Legislature have progressed to Governor Phil Murphy’s desk for consideration. Murphy has until January 20th to sign any bills remaining on his desk. That is his last day in office. Any bills not signed are considered to be “pocket vetoed”. A bill that is pocket vetoed would have to be reintroduced and begin the process of moving through the legislature all over again.
The 222nd Legislative Session began at noon on January 13, 2026. The State Legislature held its reorganization, where new and existing members took their oath of office. Additionally, the leadership elections officially took place with Senator Nick Scutari (D-22) winning re-election as Senate President, Senator Teresa Ruiz (D-29) continuing as Senate Majority Leader, Senator Shirley Turner (D-15) serving as Senate President Pro Tem and Senator Paul Sarlo (D-36) serving as Deputy Majority Leader. Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) will serve as Senate Minority Leader after election by the Republican caucus.
On the Assembly side, Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19) continues as Speaker, Assemblyman Lou Greenwald (D-6) continues as Assembly Majority Leader and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-20) as Speaker Pro Tempore. Assemblyman John DiMaio (R- 23) will continue to serve as Assembly Minority Leader. Both houses of the Legislature will also be reorganizing their committees shortly.
State of the State
Also on January 13th, Governor Phil Murphy gave his final State of the State Address as he finishes his eight years in office. Murphy is one of six New Jersey governors in state history who have been elected to two terms of office. With his characteristic enthusiasm, Murphy discussed his “northstar” vision for a “s Stronger, Fairer New Jersey” and his administration’s accomplishments to that end. Murphy spoke about the state’s obligation to New Jersey school children, the full funding of schools, full funding of the state’s obligation to public employee pensions for five consecutive years, and the stabilization and upgrading of New Jersey’s financial status. He reviewed the government response to the pandemic and applauded the heroic actions of first responders and the medical community in that challenging time. Murphy discussed the impacts of January 6th and presidential elections during his term as well as current issues facing our state. He proudly cited his recent signing of legislation creating a “Bell to Bell” cell phone ban which goes into effect next school year. You can read the Governor’s Address here.
On January 20, Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill and her Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell will be sworn in as New Jersey Governor at the Prudential Center in Newark.
New Laws Impacting Schools
The Legislature has passed and the Governor has signed the following bills into law:
Chronic Absenteeism Task Force, P.L.2025, c.181, Approved 12/23/2025, Effective Date: Immediately in Effect
This legislation establishes the Chronic Absenteeism Task Force (S-3776) whose mission is to examine the causes, data and mental health/school climate impacts on chronic absenteeism. NJPSA will have a member serving on this Task Force. NJPSA supported this bill.
Cell Phone/Internet Enabled Device Policies, P.L.2025, c.195, Approved 1/8/2026, Effective Date: 2026-2027 School Year
This legislation requires guidelines on student use of internet-enabled devices to be developed by DOE and local policy to be adopted by the governing body of each public school (S-3695). This was an initiative by Governor Murphy that he included in his final budget with a goal of reducing distractions, improving academic focus, and supporting student mental health and social skills. Under the new law, The NJ Department of Education must issue new statewide K-12 guidelines for these device policies by mid-January 2026, to be used as a framework. School boards must adopt their own policies aligning with these state guidelines, effective for the 2026-2027 school year. The ban covers regular school hours, school buses, and school-sanctioned events. However, the NJDOE confirmed with the sponsors that their legislative intent was for the ban to apply during instructional hours only and are offering guidance along the lines of the legislative intent. The updated guidance issued today and can be accessed here.
Seizure Disorder Care Training Requirement Every Two Years, P.L.2025, c. 205, Approved 1/12/2026, Effective Date: 2026-2027 School Year
This statute requires boards of education to ensure that all staff, including staff working on school-sponsored programs after the school day, are trained in the care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders every two years (S-2376). The previous statute, Paul’s Law, P.L. 2019, c. 290, required such staff training but did not include a requirement that the training take place at regular intervals. Chapter 205 does not change the other existing provisions of Paul’s Law which require a parent or guardian of a student with a seizure disorder to annually submit a student’s seizure action plan to the school nurse if the parent seeks seizure disorder care during the school day.
Educator Employment Web Portal, P.L.2025, c.208, Approved 1/12/2026, Effective Date: 9/12/2026
This legislation requires the Commissioner of Education to establish an employment web portal and virtual applicant profile system (S-2498) to be fully operational within 12 months of the bill’s effective date. The web portal, to be funded through appropriations, shall aggregate job openings from public schools, including charter schools, renaissance schools, educational services commissions, and local districts. Job openings from private schools for students with disabilities in New Jersey shall also be included. Specifically, the Commissioner shall develop a virtual applicant profile system that allows job applicants to store and manage commonly required employment information (date of birth, employment history, certifications/endorsements, etc.) in a secure format. The Commissioner may contract with a private provider to develop this system or repurpose an existing Internet website. Local school districts and private schools for students with disabilities can still use their own application process and can require additional materials in the application process. NJPSA supported this legislation as a helpful tool to assist NJPSA members in the hiring process.
Board Leasing of School Property, P.L.2025, c. 210, Approved 1/12/2026 Effective Date:1/12/2026
Chapter 210 permits boards of education to lease certain school property to federally qualified health centers without bidding (S-3156). If there will be joint occupancy between the public school and the federally qualified health center, to the extent permitted by federal law, the health center shall be located in a portion of the school building that is separate and distinct from the portion of the building in which students may be present. NJPSA monitored this legislation.
Limiting Access to Hemp Intoxicating Substances, P.L.2025, c. 215 Approved 1/12/2026, Effective Dates: April 13, 2026 and November 13, 2026
This statute creates a regulatory scheme, in line with federal law, on the sale of certain hemp-derived cannabinoid products and repeals existing law concerning “intoxicating hemp.” (S-4509). The bill clarifies the legal definitions of hemp intoxicating products, and imposes an excise tax of $3.75 per gallon on intoxicating hemp beverages. Beginning April 13, 2026, the sale, offer for sale, or distribution of certain products set forth in the bill will be unlawful. The bill also establishes THC concentration limits after April 13, 2026. NJPSA testified in support of this legislation closes current statutory loopholes which have resulted in widespread public access, including student access, to “hemp intoxicating” products in gas stations, convenience stores and other retailers. NJPSA supported the swift implementation of this prohibition in order to safeguard the safety of our students who have gained access to these products with serious health consequences as a result.
CTE Teacher Certification Change, P.L.2025, c. 216 , Approved 1/12/2026, Effective Date: 8/12/2026
In response to the ongoing teacher shortage, this legislation seeks to remove barriers to certification for career and technical education teachers. The statute prohibits the State Board of Education from requiring CTE teacher candidates to complete an educator preparation program which exceeds 200- hours of instruction in one academic year. (S-4515) NJPSA supports this legislation.
Mental Health Referrals, P.L.2025, c. 225, Approved 1/12/2026, Effective Date: 1/12/2026
This statute authorizes certain mental health professionals working in school districts, including student assistance coordinators, school counselors, school psychologists or other mental health professions working in schools, to refer or help facilitate the referral of students to professional counselors (A-1657). The mental health professional or his/her immediate family members cannot have a significant beneficial interest with the individual or practice where the student is referred for professional counseling. If the student is a minor, parental consent must be obtained prior to the referral or provision of any services by the referred practice or individual mental health professional. The legislation specifically states that neither the school district or individual referring or facilitating referral, shall bear the cost of the mental health assessments or referral unless otherwise provided by law. The law further clarifies that this statute cannot be construed to limit a school district’s authority to provide mental health assessments and services to a student prior to or after a referral to a licensed counselor or practice under title 45 of the Revised Statutes. NJPSA obtained amendments during the legislative process and supports the final version of this bill.
Tutoring Support Central Registry, P.L.2025, c. 227 , Approved 1/12/2026, Effective Date: 1/12/2026
NJPSA supported this legislation which requires the NJDOE to partner with a nonprofit organization to establish a central, searchable registry of individuals and organizations interested in providing free, supplemental tutoring support to students (A-1997). The registry shall contain information concerning each registrants’ name, contact information, subject matter expertise, and a tutoring availability schedule. This registry will be located on the NJDOE website. Eligible tutors include certified teachers, retired teachers in good standing at retirement, enrolled teacher candidates in two or four year institutions, industry professionals with relevant subject matter expertise, organizations with subject matter expertise and any other person or organization that the NJDOE deems appropriate.These eligible tutors may apply to the nonprofit organization responsible for the registry and must undergo a criminal history record check unless they have already done so for their certification. The NJDOE may reimburse an individual for the cost of the background check. Organizations must provide a statement of assurance to the NJDOE that all potential tutors in that organization have passed a criminal history background check. .Individuals or organizations on the registry cannot charge or receive a fee for their tutoring services. The registry shall explicitly state that the NJDOE is not recommending or endorsing any individual or organization listed or attesting to the quality of the tutoring services offered by the registrants.
Home Instruction for Health Conditions, P.L.2025, c.240 Approved 1/12/2026, Effective Date: 1/12/2026
The law expands the range of health care professionals that may provide documentation to a school district of a student’s need for home instruction, outside the regular education setting, due to the student’s health condition to include physician’s assistants (A-3340). The law already permits the student’s physician or advanced practice nurse to provide this documentation. Additionally, the law modifies current requirements for eligibility for home instruction. The bill continues the requirement of a documented, projected need for more than 10 consecutive days of confinement pursuant to N.J.A.C 6A: 16-10.1 et seq,but amends the rule for the number of cumulative days. Originally, the bill sought to change the current 20 cumulative days during a school year standard to make it 15 cumulative days. NJPSA successfully obtained an amendment that ultimately sets the standard at 17 cumulative school days during the school year. The bill’s requirements apply both to regular education and special education students.
Water Safety Fact Sheet, P.L.2025, c.247, Approved 1/12/2026, Effective Date: 7/11/2026 (180 days following enactment)
Chapter 247(A-4763) requires the development of an educational fact sheet on water safety by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The fact sheet must include information on how parents can reduce their child’s risk of injury or drowning when in, on, or around bodies of water, the value of water safety courses, the recommended use of flotation devices, and the importance of monitoring water conditions and swimming in areas monitored by a lifeguard. The NJDOE shall make this educational fact sheet available to school districts and nonpublic schools for annual distribution to parents and posting on the school’s website. Additionally, the law requires school districts to publish and maintain a list of locations providing age-appropriate swimming and water safety lessons. The list shall be composed of locations that have voluntarily requested to be included on the list and annually updated. NJPSA supported the distribution of the educational fact sheet but raised concerns about the obligation of the district to create and maintain an annual list of water safety providers.
Charter School Reform, P.L. 2025, c. S-4713/A-5936 and S-4716/ A-5935, Approved 1/16/2026,
After months of deliberations, the Legislature passed two bills to update New Jersey’s Charter School Law and to address some abuses and lack of transparency within that sector. NJPSA actively engaged in these discussions, was able to obtain important amendments, and ultimately supported both bills.
A-5936/S- 4713, Effective Date: different effective dates for certain bill provisions
This bill makes a number of changes to New Jersey’s charter school law affecting charter approval, oversight, transparency, and governance. The bill requires the Commissioner of Education to consider both academic and fiscal factors, including the financial impact on host districts, when reviewing new charter applications, and to deny applications that propose primarily virtual or out-of-state operations or that fail to demonstrate unmet need. It also expands public reporting requirements by directing the Department of Education and charter schools to post budgets, contracts, annual reports, and governance information online, and by requiring plain-language budget summaries and public budget hearings. In addition, the legislation updates governance and operational rules by setting new experience and residency standards for charter school board members, establishing limits on certain employment agreements, and clarifying the Commissioner’s authority to place charter schools on probation and/or to revoke charters following repeated violations. Collectively, the bill represents a significant update to the statutory framework governing charter schools in New Jersey. A last minute amendment grandfathered existing for-profit educational management companies called “educational management organizations” from an overall prohibition on the use of for-profit entities to run charter schools.
A-5935/S-4716, Approved 1/16/2026, Effective Date: 2026-2027 school year
The bill revises several aspects of charter school operations in New Jersey, including enrollment, student transitions, reporting, and athletics, while clarifying that its provisions do not apply to renaissance school projects. The bill updates enrollment preferences, establishes commissioner oversight for the enrollment of non-resident students, and reaffirms nondiscrimination and open-access requirements. It creates a new role of student placement liaison in both public schools and charter schools to coordinate student entry, exit, and placement and to track enrollment data. The bill sets new requirements for conducting exit interviews. The bill also requires the Department of Education to post charter school report card information online and establishes rules governing charter school participation in interscholastic athletics, including membership in approved voluntary associations, such as the NJSIAA, and eligibility limits for non-resident students. If signed, the act takes effect immediately and applies beginning with the first full school year after enactment.
Nonpublic School Reimbursement for Auxiliary and Remedial Services, P.L.2025, c.252 Approved 1/12/202, Effective Date: 2026-2027 School Year
This new law (A-4854) modifies how NJ allocates and distributes State aid for auxiliary and remedial services provided to nonpublic school students. The law updates long-standing statutes governing services such as speech correction, supplementary instruction, compensatory education, services for English learners, home instruction, and evaluations for students with disabilities. Instead of relying on fixed per-pupil formulas written into statute decades ago, the law now requires the Commissioner of Education to calculate maximum per-service aid amounts based on the total amount appropriated by the Legislature and the average number of services delivered over the prior three years. This change is intended to make funding more responsive to actual service demand and cost trends. The law also establishes a formal reimbursement-based system for school districts. Districts will be reimbursed quarterly for documented costs of services provided to eligible nonpublic school students, within the limits of the annual appropriations and the commissioner-established maximum aid amounts. The Department of Education must publish reimbursement procedures, timelines, and guidance by July 15 each year, and districts may begin submitting reimbursement requests starting September 1. In addition, the law emphasizes that State aid for these programs should be fully expended each year, equitably distributed among districts, and used primarily for direct student services. It authorizes the commissioner to place reasonable limits on the frequency or duration of certain services to ensure the greatest number of students can be served statewide, and allows the Department to withhold administrative funds from districts that fail to comply with reimbursement rules or timelines. NJPSA did not take a position on this bill.
Revises certain membership requirements of Commission on Latino and Hispanic Heritage, P.L.2025, c.273 Approved 01/14/2026, Effective Date: Immediately in Effect
This new law (S-4809) removes a current requirement that the public members of the Commission on Latino and Hispanic Heritage hold Master’s degrees and removes a requirement from current law that public members are required to have served prominently as spokespersons for, or as leaders of, organizations in the Latino or Hispanic heritage community which serve members of religious, ethnic, national heritage, or social groups or who are experienced in the field of Latino or Hispanic heritage education. Instead, the bill requires the public members to have knowledge and experience in Latino or Hispanic studies or education. NJPSA supported this legislation.
On the Governor’s Desk – Still Awaiting Action By the Governor
Governor Murphy must sign the following bills by January 20, 2026 or the bills will be considered to be “pocket vetoed” and must start the entire process over in the new legislative session.
Cursive Handwriting Instructional Mandate, S-1783 and S2712
This legislation requires school districts to incorporate instruction on cursive handwriting into the curriculum for students in grades three through five. The curriculum must include activities and instructional materials that help students attain proficiency in reading and writing cursive by the end of grade five. The bill will go into effect in the 2026-2027 school year if signed by Governor Murphy. NJPSA testified that the decision to offer cursive handwriting instruction should be a local decision not a mandated one.
Curriculum Mandate on Dangers of Illicit Opioid Substances, A-3909
This bill, the “Illicit Opioid Supply Substances Poisoning Awareness Act,” requires school districts to provide instruction to students in grades 6-12 on the dangers of substances that are most prevalent or emerging in the illicit opioid supply in New Jersey. This instruction will be incorporated into the Comprehensive Health and Physical Education curriculum. The instruction must include prevention, poisoning awareness, the dangers of synthetic opioidsand counterfeit drugs, the symptomsand treatment of opioid poisoning, and immunity laws for naloxone and other opioid antidotes. The Commissioner of Education shall provide existing age-appropriate resources compiled by the Commissioner of Health to assist local districts. The legislation also requires school districts to provide age-appropriate information on where to access opioid antidotes, including naloxone, on school premises and in the community as determined by the district. The NJDOE is also required to post and maintain instructional, safety, resource organizations, preventative mental health resources, and other information on its website. The State Board of Education must review and update the NJ Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education to include this instruction. The effective date of this requirement is linked to the next regularly scheduled update to the Health and Physical Education standards. The curriculum requirement will be implemented in the first full school year following the State Board’s update of these learning standards. NJPSA was able to obtain several amendments to this legislation.
Health Care Benefits for Disabled Public Employees, TPAF and PERS, A-5118
This bill ensures that members of TPAF and PERS who become disabled and receive disability insurance (rather than a disability pension) are also entitled to free State-provided health benefits. It would apply to employees hired after 2010 who are not eligible for disability retirement and instead receive a State-purchased disability insurance benefit equal to 60% of salary. The bill guarantees that these disabled members receive health coverage through the State or School Employees’ Health Benefits Programs with no premium contributions, no enrollment deadlines, and no additional eligibility requirements. The bill also preserves pension service credit during disability, allows limited return-to-work, creates an appeals process, and takes effect immediately. NJPSA supported this bill.
Nonpublic School Nursing Pilot Program, A-6149
This bill creates a three-year pilot program for the provision of nursing services, through a county consortium, to nonpublic school students. The Commissioner of Education is directed to establish, supervise and fund this pilot program. During the pilot program, the Commissioner shall directly disburse nursing services aid to the consortium, not via the current system of having these funds flow through local school districts. The program will be fully audited and a final report issued to the Governor and Legislature.
NJPSA is monitoring this legislation and pilot program.
Special Education Transportation Task Force, S-3447
NJPSA supports this legislation to establish the Special Education Task Force whose mission is to review and develop recommendations for best practices in the transportation of students with disabilities. This review must include issues of identifying concerns, developing strong protocols in emergency situations and working to prevent safety issues. NJPSA will have a member on the Task Force if it is signed into law.
Retired Teachers in NonPublic Schools, S-4678
In response to Governor Murphy’s conditional veto of this legislation on January 12, the Legislature voted to concur with the Governor’s recommendations. The bill is once again on Murphy’s desk for action. The legislation expands the group of teachers eligible to participate in the STEM grant program set forth in P.L. 2019, c. 256 (C.18A:6-137) to include retired STEM teachers and faculty of county colleges. NJPSA supports this legislation.
Expanded definition of Child Abuse/Neglect, S-3751
This legislation expands the definition of “child” in P.L. 1974, c.119 (C.9:6-8.2), New Jersey’s protections against child abuse and neglect, to include persons between the ages of 18 to 20 (“any person less than 21 years of age alleged to have been abused or neglected, or subject to exploitation by a teacher, employee, contractor, or volunteer (where compensated or not) of an institution responsible for the care or supervision of that person, as regulated by the Department of Children and Families. NJPSA is monitoring this bill.
Water Quality Notifications, A-1400
This bill requires owners or operators of public water systems to notify municipalities and schools served by the system whenever there is a breach of any drinking water quality standard. The notice must be immediate and must include potential remedies and actions that the school or municipality can take to address the violations. The bill was conditionally vetoed and is back on the Governor’s desk for reconsideration.
Vaccines, S-4894
This legislation seeks to limit the influence of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vaccine Advisory Panel by authorizing the NJ Department of Health to have final say on what vaccines are covered by state policy. Instead of the existing deference to the Advisory Panel, this statute broadens the authorities the DOH considers in the development of state immunization policy to include the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American College of Physicians. The bill further addresses health insurance coverage for vaccines recommended by the NJDOH. NJPSA is monitoring this legislation.
Attorney General Model Policies in Sensitive Locations, A-6308
This legislation requires the Attorney General to develop model policies addressing personal freedom in sensitive locations which includes public schools with a goal of safety and public access to state institutions. The Commissioner of Education will review and adopt the model policies that relate to schools. Public schools will then be required to adopt these model policies or policies that provide greater protections in this area.
Highlights of NJPSA Advocacy Successes in Lame Duck
In addition to the bill amendments described above, NJPSA’s Government Relations team is proud to share the following advocacy successes over the lame duck session. We thank the NJPSA Legislative Committee and all members for your input and support in developing our advocacy goals and recommendations on legislation!
- A-5796/S-4589 Requires a child in a home education program and parents to meet annually with representatives of the resident school district for a wellness check. NJPSA advocacy led to the bill being held in committee. Read NJPSA’s testimony.
- S-3195 Prohibits food service business from providing single-use utensils and condiments to customers under certain circumstances and requires DEP to establish an education campaign on the benefits of reducing single-use utensils and condiments. NJPSA advocacy successfully had ‘schools’ exempted from the bill. See Amendment exempting schools.
- A-3909 “Illicit Opioid Supply Substances Poisoning Awareness Act”; requires school districts to provide instruction on dangers of illicit opioid substances. NJPSA advocacy led to amendments removing specific references to fentanyl and xylazine throughout the bill, and provide that the bill would first apply to the first full school year following the next regularly scheduled update to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education among other improvements.
- P.L. 2025, c. 215 Hemp Intoxicating Substances (S-4509)
At the urging of NJPSA members, NJPSA proactively supported this legislation to regulate the sale and marking of, and public access to, hemp intoxicating products in gas stations, convenience stores due to the negative health impacts on students. NJPSA presented actual member and student experiences in committee which supported the ultimate adoption of this statute. Read NJPSA’s testimony.
This is the most recent information available at the time of publication (noon on January 16, 2026.) The NJPSA government Relations Team will update you on the remaining bills in next week’s Government Relations news. For additional information, please contact the NJPSA Government Relations Team, Debbie Bradley, Director and Jennie Lamon and Chris Nelson, Assistant Directors.
January 16, 2025