The week of December 15, 2025, has been an active one as the Legislature considers final legislative priorities before the close of this two-year legislative session. NJPSA’s Government Relations team has been there, advocating on your behalf, on the numerous issues that impact schools and your professional lives. These are the important committees that met this week, as well as a voting session by the full Senate, that considered bills impacting NJPSA members, your students, and school districts. Here, we will get you all caught up with what happened under the golden dome this week!
Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee – December 15, 2025
The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee met for hours to consider the following legislation:
Banning Hemp Intoxicating Substances (S-4509)
The Committee adopted a committee substitute that 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.”
NJPSA testified in support of this legislation which seeks to close 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. The substitute creates a prohibition on these hemp intoxicating products that are excluded from the federal definition of hemp. The state prohibition would take effect on March 13, 2026 which expedites the state’s implementation of a change in federal law that is set to begin on November 13, 2026. 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. SCS-4509 now awaits a vote of the full Senate. Its Assembly counterpart, A-A-6295 was considered in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on December 18. The legislation is poised for a vote in the Senate on December 22.
NJPSA successfully obtained amendments to S-4440 which, dependent upon state funding, creates a requirement for key boxes to be installed at public school buildings, charter schools and renaissance schools. The key box is to be installed at an appropriate location for emergency responders, including police, fire and potentially emergency medical personnel, to gain access to the building in the case of an emergency.
NJPSA thanks Senator McKnight for hearing our concerns and amending the bill to: (1) provide the requirement to install key boxes is subject to the availability of funds appropriated in the annual appropriations act for the purposes of the bill; (2) permit key boxes to meet nationally recognized industry standards for antitheft alarms and devices other than Underwriters Laboratories Standard 1037; (3) establish a mechanism for the board of education of a school district and the board of trustees of a charter school or renaissance school project to apply to the Commissioner of Education for exemption from the requirement to install a key box. The commissioner may approve the application for an exemption if the board has implemented an alternative plan and procedures that provide emergency access to a school building and the plan and procedures are equivalent to or exceed the key box requirements of the bill; (4) provide that emergency medical services personnel are not required to have access to the key box, but may be granted access if a board of education or board of trustees deems it appropriate; (5) require, wherever possible, emergency responders to utilize shared key boxes for a school building in collaboration with the school district, charter school, or renaissance school project; (6) remove the provision that the key boxes contain the most recently updated critical incident mapping data; (7) stipulate that costs incurred by a school district, charter school, or renaissance school project necessary for compliance with the bill would be borne by the State; (8) specify that school districts, charter school, and renaissance school projects that purchase and install key boxes after the effective date of the bill would be able to apply to the commissioner for reimbursement; (9) remove an appropriation from the bill; and (10) update the title and synopsis of the bill.
STEM Grant Program – Expands eligibility to Retired Teachers (S-4678)
In response to the shortage of teachers in STEM areas, the Legislature established a STEAM teacher grant program in 2019, P.L. 2019, c. 256. Under the program, participating nonpublic schools form partnerships with eligible teachers in this field and with school districts where that teacher is employed, to allow the teacher to teach STEM classes at the nonpublic school after school hours. This bill expands the eligibility scope of the grant to include teachers who have retired. The bill eliminates any negative pension consequences for the retired teacher and does not include the salary earned in the grant program toward the calculation of income in the pension formula. NJPSA supports this bill.
Charter School Legislation S-4713 and S-4716
These bills were developed in response to certain financial abuses that occurred at some charter schools recently. The sponsor, Senator Vin Gopal has worked collaboratively with both the traditional public school community and the charter community during the legislative process. The legislation seeks to update the charter school statute which has not been updated for decades. It further seeks to enhance the accountability and transparency in charter operations which NJPSA supports. Although the bills were posted for consideration on December 15, the bills were held in order to give stakeholders time to review new amendments to the legislation. It is unclear as of writing if the sponsors will attempt to amend and pass either bill before the end of this legislative session on January 12. NJPSA will keep you advised of any new developments.
Senate Higher Education Committee – December 15, 2025
The Senate Higher Education Committee met and approved the following bill relevant to boards of education:
Seniority Service Credit for Educational Support Professionals (A-4941/S-4428) A-4941/S-4428 allows every educational support professional who has served in the active military of the United States and is declared by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to be eligible for federal veterans’ benefits, to receive equivalent years of employment or seniority credit, up to four years, for that service as if the professional had been employed for the same period of time at the school district. Any military service would be credited towards this employment or seniority credit, including service that occurred before the professional’s employment as an educational support professional. This bill would treat educational support professions similarly to existing law that permits a teaching staff member to receive up to four years of credit for military service, in computing length of service for seniority purposes.
Assembly Education Committee – December 18, 2025
The Assembly Education Committee met and approved several bills relevant to K-12 education. The committee also bid farewell to Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis, from District 21, whose term is ending at the end of this session.
“Student Mental Health Task Force” (A-276)
As amended by the Assembly Education Committee, this bill establishes a 19-member Student Mental Health Task Force to study student mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, and related disorders. The task force will examine and survey existing mental health resources available to schools and parents statewide and by region, assess access to services and provider networks, and identify funding sources and partnership opportunities.
The task force will also develop recommendations on identifying students with mental health needs; expanding or improving school counseling and mental health services; understanding the connection between student mental health and school safety; determining staffing and funding needs; and reviewing effective mental health programs used in other states. In carrying out its work, the task force must consult with parents and teaching staff.
The task force is required to submit a final report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year of its organization and provide a copy to every school district. The task force will dissolve 30 days after issuing its final report. NJPSA will have one representative appointed by the Governor on this task force. NJPSA Supports this bill.
Illicit Opioid Supply Substances Poisoning Awareness Act (A-3909)
The sponsors of this legislation hope to raise awareness of the dangers of fentanyl and xylazine and to honor the memory of Max Lenowitz of Woodcliff Lake, and thousands of other New Jersey residents who have lost their lives to fentanyl or xylazine poisoning. Under the bill, as amended by the Assembly Education Committee, school districts will be required to include instruction on the dangers of substances that are the most prevalent or emerging in the illicit opioid supply in New Jersey as well as common non-opioids added to the the opioid as an adulterant, the laws that are in place to provide immunity for persons who administer opioid antidotes and information on where to access opioid antidotes on school campuses and the community. As amended, the act would take effect with the next regularly scheduled update to the New Jersey Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. NJPSA supports this bill as amended.
Special Education Transportation Task Force (A-4607/S-3447)
This bill would establish a task force charged with studying and making recommendations on best practices for the transportation of students who receive special education and related services, including identifying and responding to medical and behavioral emergencies experienced by those students. The bill was inspired by the recent tragic death of a non-verbal special needs student being transported on a bus home from school and has broad bipartisan support among legislators.
The task force would be composed of 18 members across two state agencies, multiple education, special needs, and transportation stakeholder advocacy groups, and parents. NJPSA is included in the required membership. The task force would have 12 months to complete its study and issue a report that must include recommendations as to best practices as well as “appropriate policies and training of school staff and school bus staff that address preventing, identifying, and responding to medical and behavioral emergencies that occur while transporting students who receive special education and related services on a school bus.” NJPSA supports this bill.
This bill is an attempt to get ahead of what is expected to be a major discussion point over the next several years, as AI-enabled security and surveillance systems become more affordable and more prevalent in school buildings. As amended the bill requires school boards to establish a policy regarding the use of such systems that must include information on the system, description of what information is collected through the system, how that information will be utilized, and description of how information will be accessible. The bill further requires notification of all parents and guardians of the policy and where any such systems will be implemented.
NJPSA staff engaged with the sponsor to ensure that amendments included clarification on protection of private and protected information, a clear definition of “artificial intelligence,” and clarification that the provisions of the bill will apply to charters and renaissance schools as well as regular operating districts. NJPSA supports this bill as amended.
This bill establishes a three-year pilot program under the Department of Education in which an eligible county consortium will provide all nursing services to participating nonpublic schools. The Commissioner of Education is responsible for establishing, supervising, and funding the pilot and will direct nonpublic nursing services aid to the county consortium instead of individual school districts.
Nonpublic schools in the eligible county must be notified of the program and informed that the consortium will provide all nursing services and that schools may not offer courtesy nursing services if they participate. Schools wishing to participate must notify the commissioner, the county consortium, and affected school districts by June 1 of the prior school year. The county must demonstrate its ability to meet the consortium’s nursing responsibilities to participate.
The bill requires annual independent audits of the pilot program, with results submitted to the commissioner and forwarded to the Governor and Legislature. An oversight committee appointed by the Governor and legislative leadership will monitor implementation. Two years after the pilot begins, the commissioner must submit a report evaluating the program and recommending whether it should be continued and expanded statewide. NJPSA is neutral on this bill.
Assembly Appropriations Committee – December 18, 2025
The Assembly Appropriations Committee advanced the following legislation impacting public schools:
Establishes a program for anonymous reporting of potential threats to school safety (A-1792)
This bill would require the establishment of a program that provides a means for the public to anonymously report information concerning unsafe, potentially harmful, dangerous, violent, or criminal activities in schools or the threat of those activities. The program would allow students, parents, school staff, and other community members to anonymously report information through readily accessible methods such as a telephone tip line, that is staffed by trained individuals at reasonable hours each day of the week, and a mobile application. The bill ensures anonymity unless the reporting party voluntarily discloses identity, and further requires the information received through the program be shared promptly with appropriate law enforcement.
The bill further stipulates that training will be provided to law enforcement dispatch centers, all public and nonpublic schools, and other entities determined by the Attorney General on awareness of the program and appropriate response to tips received through the program and that proper guidelines will be provided to students regarding the procedures for reporting potential threats to school safety. It also requires that program awareness and education materials be provided to all public and nonpublic schools in the state. There are also comprehensive reporting responsibilities born by the Attorney General. NJPSA supports this legislation.
Establishes educator common application and web portal A-3864 / S-2505/ S-2498
This bill would require the NJ DOE establish a common application web portal through which appropriately credentialed individuals can submit a single common application for employment at the public schools in the state. Recent amendments clarified that substitute teachers are included, noted that DOE may create a new web site to accomplish this, and established a reasonable timeline for implementation. NJPSA supports this legislation.
This bill would require that all health insurers in the state provide benefits to any covered person for medical expenses incurred relating to screening, prevention, and treatment of behavioral health issues in children. Further, all carriers and the State Medicaid program would be required to accept and reimburse claims for screening, prevention, and treatment using an at-risk diagnosis. The bill also provides a definition for “at risk diagnosis” and clarifies its use cases.
This bill amends the existing grant program that allows eligible educators to teach STEM classes at a nonpublic school. The new provisions would allow retired educators to be eligible to participate in the grant program.
Recent amendments clarified the allocation process for funds, the effect on an individual’s pension, and the notification process for individuals no longer employed in a public school district. NJPSA supports this legislation.
This bill would close an existing loophole in the hemp legalization law that has allowed for certain intoxicating products derived from hemp to be sold without restriction at some retail and convenience stores. NJPSA staff previously provided testimony in the Senate on the dire and often dramatic effects this has had on students in our schools. Our comments were based directly upon feedback and stories provided to us by members. Our testimony was well received and appreciated by the sponsors. Thank you!
The Assembly version of this bill was waived directly on to the Appropriations agenda, indicating an intention by leadership to advance it quickly to the floor and through to final passage. NJPSA supports this legislation.
Senate Voting Session on December 18, 2025
The State Senate favorably voted on the following bills impacting education on December 18, 2025:
S-2380, and its Assembly counterpart, A-1657 would allow student assistance coordinators, school counselors, school psychologists, and other district mental health professionals to refer or help families connect a student with a licensed mental health counselor outside the district. Staff may not refer students to a provider in which they or their immediate family have a financial interest. Districts may still offer their own services before or after an outside referral. The NJ Senate passed this legislation on 12/18/25. This was the final passage and the bill now heads to the Governor’s desk.
This bill prohibits the delivery of electronic smoking devices to individuals under the age of 21. Under the bill, it is unlawful to deliver an electronic smoking device or tobacco product to a residence without first obtaining, upon delivery, the signature of an individual who is at least 21 years of age and who resides in that residence. A person who violates the provisions of the bill is to be subject to the civil and criminal penalties that apply to individuals who sell or furnish tobacco products and electronic smoking devices to persons under 21 years of age. The NJ State Senate unanimously passed this bill on 12/18/25 (38-0). The bill now heads to Governor Murphy for his consideration.
This bill is the sponsors’ effort to ensure that there is a centrally located and curated list of options for free tutoring available to parents and students throughout the state. The bill requires the DOE to assemble and maintain the list based on a set of defined criteria, and to make it readily accessible and searchable. All responsibility rests with the Department and with the individuals seeking inclusion – none is passed to the districts or the schools. The NJ Senate unanimously passed this legislation on December 18, 2025. This was the final passage and the bill now heads to the Governor’s desk.
This bill expands the type of health care professional that may provide documentation to a school district where students need home instruction due to the student’s health condition. Advanced practice nurses and physician assistants are authorized to do so under the bill. The bill also changes the “trigger” for home instruction services from the current 20 cumulative days to 17 cumulative days. Originally the bill lowered the cumulative eligibility number to 15, but NJPSA was able to obtain the amendment establishing the 17 day mark for the number of cumulative absences in a school year that trigger a district requirement to provide home instruction. The bill does not change the current 10 consecutive days of absence standard. The NJ Senate passed this legislation on December 18, 2025. This was the final passage and the bill now heads to the Governor’s desk.
As amended, S-984 requires public water system owners/operators to immediately notify, by phone and email, municipal governing bodies and the chief administrators of all K–12 schools, nonpublic schools, charter schools, and institutions of higher education within the municipality whenever a Tier 2 drinking water violation occurs under EPA regulations. The notice must identify the contaminant, applicable standards, test results and dates, sampling locations (including exceedances), and provide suggested remedies for customers. The NJ State Senate unanimously passed this bill on 12/18/25 (38-0). This bill now heads to the Governor’s desk.
Under current law, a minor, 16 years of age or older, who believes that he or she is in need of behavioral health care services can consent to temporary outpatient treatment under the supervision of a licensed health care professional, excluding the use or administration of medication, as if the minor had achieved the age of majority. This substitute lowers the age at which a minor can consent to such treatment from 16 years of age or older to 14 years of age or older. The NJ Senate passed this bill on Thursday, December 18th by a mostly party line vote (22-14).
Establishes School Plastics Upcycling Grant Program (S-1441) This bill would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish a three-year pilot School Plastics Upcycling Grant Program to support schools that collect and donate plastics for upcycling. Beginning after the first full school year following enactment, the program would provide annual grants to eligible public and nonpublic schools based on each school’s proportional share of plastics collected by students or staff. Grant funds must be used primarily to purchase school-appropriate furniture or furnishings made from those upcycled plastics by DEP-authorized upcyclers. Schools would be eligible if they participate in plastic collection activities and donate the collected materials to an authorized upcycler. DEP would develop a funding formula to ensure fair and equitable distribution of funds, including a minimum grant sufficient to purchase at least one piece of upcycled furniture, with additional funding awarded to schools that collect proportionally more plastics. At least 80 percent of grant funds must be used for purchasing upcycled furnishings, with up to 20 percent permitted for related administrative and logistical costs. DEP would oversee the program, approve upcyclers, require annual expenditure reporting from participating schools, and submit yearly evaluations to the Governor and Legislature. The program could continue beyond the pilot period if recommended by DEP and supported by available funding. Committee amendments remove the bill’s original $5 million General Fund appropriation, making the program contingent on future funding availability. The NJ Senate unanimously passed this legislation on 12/18/25 (38-0).
As amended, this bill authorizes student assistance coordinators, school counselors, school psychologists, and other school-based mental health professionals to refer or help facilitate referrals for students to licensed individuals or practices for mental health assessments and services. The bill prohibits referrals where the school employee or their immediate family has a significant financial interest in the provider. For students who cannot legally consent, parental or guardian notification and consent are required before services are provided, and licensed providers must obtain appropriate consent prior to delivering care. The bill clarifies that neither the school district nor the referring employee is responsible for the cost of outside mental health services unless required by law, and it does not limit a district’s ability to provide mental health services directly to students. The NJ Senate passed this bill on Thursday, December 18th by a mostly party line vote (22-14).
As amended, this bill directs the Department of Education (DOE) to partner with a nonprofit organization to create and maintain a publicly accessible, searchable registry of individuals and organizations offering free tutoring services statewide. The registry will include contact information, subject-area expertise, and availability, and will be posted on the DOE’s website.
Eligible registrants include certified and retired New Jersey teachers, college students, industry professionals, organizations with relevant expertise, and others approved by the DOE. Tutoring services listed in the registry must be provided at no cost. Most individual applicants must undergo a criminal history record check, with organizations required to certify that their tutors have completed background checks. The registry will include a disclaimer that listings are not verified or endorsed by the DOE. The NJ Senate unanimously passed this legislation on 12/18/25 (38-0).
Establishes Chronic Absenteeism Task Force (S-3776)
Governor Murphy conditionally vetoed this bill, after it was passed by both houses and sent to his desk last June. While the Governor expressed his full support for creating a Chronic Absenteeism Task Force, his conditional veto recommended amendments to extend the reporting deadline from six months to one year, restore the original timeline due to the complexity of the issue and the size of the task force, shift appointment authority to the Governor, with appointments made upon recommendation of the Legislature and designated organizations, to align with constitutional requirements, and grant the Governor greater discretion over four appointments while preserving organizational representation. Additional technical changes clarify quorum requirements and the task force’s ability to request, rather than compel, assistance. The NJ Senate voted affirmatively to concur with the Governor’s recommendations on 12/18/25 (39-0).
The lame duck session will end on January 13, 2026, and your NJPSA Government Relations team will be there advocating for you every step of the way. Any legislation that does not make it through both houses and get signed by the Governor will have to begin again in the new legislative session. Please contact the NJPSA GR Team for any questions. Happy Holidays!