New Jersey Assembly Bill A4494

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/15/22
• Refer: 9/15/22

Caption

Requires school districts to provide transportation to student attending nonpublic school located out-of-State under certain circumstances.

Impact

The implementation of A4494 is anticipated to have a significant effect on school district operations and budgets throughout New Jersey. By requiring transportation services for students attending nonpublic schools out-of-state, the bill could increase operational costs for districts, especially if many families take advantage of this new provision. Districts may need to negotiate transportation contracts or potentially transport students themselves, which could present logistical challenges that require careful planning and additional resources.

Summary

Assembly Bill A4494 seeks to expand the transportation requirements for students attending nonpublic schools in New Jersey. Specifically, the bill mandates that school districts provide transportation to students who live in the district and are attending nonpublic schools located outside of New Jersey, but within a 20-mile radius of their home, provided there are no appropriate nonpublic schools in-state that are closer. This change transforms the existing law, which currently only applies to school districts in Warren County, to encompass all school districts statewide, thereby broadening access to educational options for families.