NJ S2059

Creates a nonpublic school consortium transportation program allowing groups of nonpublic schools across one or more counties to form consortiums that assume responsibility for transporting students from participating school districts

Participating school districts disburse the aid in-lieu-of transportation amount (currently $1,022 per pupil) to the consortium for each nonpublic school student required by law to receive transportation

If transportation costs exceed the aid in-lieu-of amount, parents receive that amount directly; consortiums may also transport non-eligible students living within 20 miles if parents pay full costs

Consortiums must refund pro-rata amounts to districts for students who did not receive transportation for the full year, and return any unexpended funds proportionally to participating districts

Commissioner of Education establishes a five-member oversight committee for each consortium, and consortiums must submit annual independent audits by December 1; program first applies to the 2023-2024 school year