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NJ S240

Bill

Status

Introduced

1/13/2026

Primary Sponsor

Shirley Turner

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2026-2027 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Mandates all New Jersey school districts establish full-day kindergarten programs, replacing the current optional provision
  • Districts in factor groups A, B, CD, or DE (lower socioeconomic classifications) must implement full-day kindergarten by the 2020-2021 school year; all other districts by 2021-2022
  • Establishes a uniform statewide kindergarten enrollment age requirement: children must turn five years old by October 1 of that school year
  • Eliminates local board discretion to set varying enrollment age cutoff dates and to admit transfer students who did not meet October 1 age eligibility
  • Removes authorization for districts to admit four-year-olds to kindergarten programs

Legislative Description

Requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts and establishes uniform age requirement for enrollment in kindergarten.

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