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Bill > A4526


NJ A4526

NJ A4526
Requires school districts classified as child care deserts to provide preschool education vouchers for certain students.


summary

Introduced
06/06/2024
In Committee
06/06/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires public school districts that are classified as child care deserts to provide preschool education vouchers to the parents or guardians of eligible preschool students who are not able to enroll in a free preschool program through the resident school district. The bill defines an eligible preschool student as a student who is eligible to enroll in a free preschool program through the resident school district pursuant to the "School Funding Reform Act of 2008," and who resides in a school district that is classified as a child care desert. The preschool education voucher would be in an amount equal to the applicable per pupil State preschool education aid amount. The voucher may be used to pay for the cost of tuition and fees at a private preschool or licensed child care center, or the cost of materials used to homeschool the student. The voucher may also be deposited in a New Jersey Better Educational Savings Trust account.

AI Summary

This bill requires public school districts classified as child care deserts to provide preschool education vouchers to the parents or guardians of eligible preschool students who cannot enroll in a free preschool program through the resident school district. The voucher amount would be equal to the applicable per-pupil state preschool education aid, and can be used to pay for tuition and fees at a private preschool or licensed child care center, the cost of homeschooling materials, or deposited in a New Jersey Better Educational Savings Trust account. The bill defines a "child care desert" as a school district with at least 30 resident three- and four-year-old children, where the number of available preschool seats is less than one-third the amount needed. An "eligible preschool student" is one who is eligible for the resident school district's free preschool program under the School Funding Reform Act of 2008.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 06/06/2024)

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