NJ S185

Establishes the Elementary Home Reading Grant Program to increase reading opportunities and parental engagement for elementary students to improve reading proficiency across New Jersey

Requires partnering nonprofit organizations to mail weekly independent reading level books to students' homes, provide 6-9 books students can keep permanently, and contact parents weekly via calls, texts, or app notifications in multiple languages

School districts must submit competitive applications detailing their program, partnering nonprofit, goals, methods for identifying underperforming students, projected student participation, and costs

State provides 100% matching funds for per-student costs, with grants distributed across northern, central, and southern regions and preference given to programs designed to operate beyond the grant period

Appropriates $500,000 from unexpended federal coronavirus pandemic relief funds, with the Commissioner required to report to the Governor and Legislature within two years on program outcomes