Bill > S709

Introduced Session

This bill provides a supplemental appropriation of $1 billion to provide Grants for After School Recreation in Urban Areas. The bill provides that the grants will be allocated by the Commissioner of Education for the following purposes: improving, retrofitting, and rebuilding playgrounds, public swimming pools, and other recreational infrastructure; reopening parks that have not been in operation for a long period of time; and establishing, enhancing, and procuring equipment and other materials for mentorship programs, public and nonprofit youth sports organizations and recreational programs, organized after school and summer educational programs that include computer science education, home economics education, and education concerning other life-building skills. Under the bill, grants would only be made available to municipalities that are members of the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association (NJUMA). The NJUMA is an association comprised of urban and rural municipalities that is dedicated to working with State and federal lawmakers and officials to develop appropriate and effective public policy measures that benefit the State's urban centers and to help lawmakers understand how public policy affects New Jersey's cities and municipalities. Member municipalities of the NJUMA display a disproportionate need for youth sports and educational programs. This bill would provide these municipalities, and the youth populations of the municipalities, with access to funding to improve, create, and support youth programs and facilities. Ensuring funding for the purposes described under the bill would represent a meaningful investment in the educational and social-emotional development of children in the eligible municipalities and provide them with stimulating after school and summer safe havens.

Committee Categories

Renee Burgess (D)*,  Angela Mcknight (D)*,  Britnee Timberlake (D), 

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

Official Document