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NJ S502

Bill

Status

Introduced

1/13/2026

Primary Sponsor

Owen Henry

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2026-2027 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Appropriates $5 million from New Jersey's General Fund to establish a one-time grant program supporting free, full-day kindergarten implementation in school districts that currently lack such programs

  • Targets 10 specific school districts identified as not offering free, full-day kindergarten in the 2024-2025 school year, including Moorestown Township, Haddonfield, Metuchen, Monroe Township, Millstone Township, Chathams, Bridgewater-Raritan, Hillsborough Township, Cranford, and Westfield

  • Requires eligible districts to submit applications to the Commissioner of Education including implementation plans and cost estimates for their full-day kindergarten programs

  • Grant funds would be evenly distributed among approved applicant districts from the $5 million appropriation

  • Pre-filed for introduction in the 2026 legislative session of the 222nd Legislature

Legislative Description

Establishes one-time grant program to support implementation of free, full-day kindergarten programs in certain school districts; appropriates $5 million.

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