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NJ S1479
Bill
Status
1/13/2026
Primary Sponsor
Joseph Cryan
Click for details
AI Summary
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Prohibits New Jersey colleges and universities from asking about applicants' criminal history on admissions applications, with exceptions for serious offenses including homicide, kidnapping, human trafficking, sexual assault, arson, and terrorism-related crimes.
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Establishes a 24-member Universal College Application Development Task Force to create a standard application usable at all public, independent, and proprietary degree-granting institutions in the state.
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Exempts law school applications from the criminal history inquiry prohibition, as bar admission requirements may disqualify applicants with certain convictions.
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Allows institutions to inquire about criminal history after admission for purposes of offering counseling services and making decisions about campus housing and participation in campus activities.
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Requires the task force to submit its final report and standard application within one year of organizing, with appointments to be made within 30 days of the act taking effect.
Legislative Description
Prohibits institutions of higher education and degree-granting proprietary institutions from using applications for admission that inquire about applicant's criminal history; establishes "Universal College Application Development Task Force" to develop standard application for admission.
Higher Education
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee
1/13/2026