Bill

Bill > S2247


NJ S2247

NJ S2247
Permits use of preferred names on student diplomas.


summary

Introduced
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill permits graduating students to use preferred names on diplomas conferred by both public and nonpublic schools, institutions of higher education, and proprietary institutions licensed to offer academic degrees. Graduating students would not be required to provide legal documentation sufficient to demonstrate a legal name or gender change in order to use a preferred name. Schools or institutions would have the right to deny a preferred name request if the preferred name is intended to misrepresent the person's identity or misappropriate the identity of another person, avoid a legal obligation, harm the reputation or interests of the school or institution, or be derogatory, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate. Schools and institutions would also be required to update a former student's records provided that the former student provides sufficient documentation demonstrating a legal name or gender change. Acceptable documents would include a state-issued driver's license, birth certificate, passport, social security card, or court order indicating a legal name or gender change, or both. Upon receipt of proper documentation sufficient to demonstrate a legal name or gender change, a school or institution would also be required to reissue any documents conferred upon the former student with the former student's updated legal name or gender upon request. Documents that could be reissued include, but not necessarily limited to, a transcript or diploma conferred by the school or institution. Schools and institutions would be permitted to charge a nominal fee for the reissuance of any document requested by a former student pursuant to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill allows graduating students from public and nonpublic schools, colleges, universities, and other licensed degree-granting institutions to use their preferred names on diplomas without needing to provide legal documentation of a name or gender change. However, institutions can deny a preferred name request if it's intended to deceive, avoid legal responsibilities, harm the institution's reputation, or is offensive. The bill also requires these institutions to update former students' records and reissue documents like transcripts or diplomas with their updated legal name or gender, provided the former student submits sufficient proof of a legal name or gender change, such as a driver's license, birth certificate, passport, social security card, or court order, and may charge a small fee for reissuing these documents.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 01/09/2024)

bill text


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