NJ A4420

Establishes a system allowing public higher education institutions and local school boards to apply to become charter school authorizers, in addition to the Commissioner of Education, with required application elements including strategic vision, budget capacity, and oversight processes.

Expands who can establish charter schools to include community residents, private for-profit or non-profit entities, existing charter schools, and public higher education institutions, removing previous restrictions on private entity involvement and allowing private entities to realize profits.

Creates "designated enrollment regions" allowing charter schools to draw students from multiple districts, with enrollment preference for region residents and priority for siblings, founders' children, and staff members' children.

Permits conversion of nonpublic (private/religious) schools to charter schools if they certify prohibition of religious instruction and remove religious references from their name, with current students allowed to continue enrollment.

Grants charter schools right of first refusal to purchase or lease closed public school facilities at or below fair market value, and encourages establishment of charter schools focused on special education and gender-specific admissions.