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NJ S1329
Bill
Status
Introduced
1/13/2026
Primary Sponsor
Joseph Pennacchio
Click for details
AI Summary
- State assumes direct responsibility for contracting with and paying providers of special education services for students requiring "high needs placements" (services costing more than $55,000 annually, adjusted for inflation in subsequent years)
- Establishes the Office of High Needs Placement Funding within the Department of Education to manage contracts, maintain a provider directory with quality ratings and comparative costs, and make payments in 10 monthly installments
- Creates a 17-member High Needs Placement Committee to develop provider quality rating systems, analyze special education data trends, conduct longitudinal studies of student outcomes, and review threshold criteria
- School districts must forward qualifying Individualized Education Programs to the state office, which will deduct corresponding amounts from district State aid (including equalization aid, special education categorical aid, and federal IDEA funding)
- Private schools approved as high needs placement providers are exempt from State Board fiscal and operational regulations as a condition of receiving full contracted cost reimbursement
Legislative Description
Provides for direct State payment of cost of special education and related services for certain students.
Education
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee
1/13/2026
Committee Referrals
Education1/13/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available