Bill > S5029

This bill establishes a three-year pilot program in eligible counties, defined as first-class counties with a population over 950,000, to provide nursing services to students in nonpublic schools. A "county consortium," which is a nonprofit entity representing a group of nonpublic schools in an eligible county, will be formed to manage these services. Under this program, a board of education will disburse funds directly to the county consortium, equivalent to the nonpublic nursing services aid that would otherwise be provided to school districts for students attending nonpublic schools within the consortium. Any unspent funds must be returned by the consortium. The Department of Education will notify nonpublic schools about the program and its requirements. Nonpublic schools must inform the commissioner and relevant school districts of their intention to join a consortium by June 1st of the preceding school year. The consortium must provide assurances of its capability to deliver nursing services and will be audited annually by an independent entity, with the audit report submitted to the Governor and Legislature. After two years, the Commissioner of Education will report on the program's implementation and recommend whether it should continue and be expanded statewide. The State Board of Education will create necessary rules to implement this act, which takes effect immediately.

Education

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S5029