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Bill > S874
NJ S874
NJ S874Requires school districts to receive written permission from parent or legal guardian before administering certain student health surveys.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would require school districts to receive written permission from a parent or legal guardian before administering certain health surveys to students. Under current law, a school district that sends prior written notification to a parent or legal guardian may administer an anonymous, voluntary survey, assessment or evaluation to the student which reveals information concerning any of the following issues: · use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and vaping;· sexual behavior and attitudes;· behaviors that may contribute to intentional or unintentional injuries or violence; or· physical activity and nutrition-related behaviors. Written notification provided to a parent or legal guardian is required to be delivered by regular mail, electronic mail, or a written acknowledgement form to be delivered by the student at least two weeks prior to administration of the survey, assessment, analysis, or evaluation. Information obtained through the survey is also required to be submitted to the Department of Education and the Department of Health and may be used to develop public health initiatives and prevention programs. This bill would amend current law to require a school district to receive written permission from a parent or legal guardian, rather than providing notification, prior to administering an anonymous, voluntary survey, assessment, analysis or evaluation to a student concerning the use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and vaping; sexual behavior and attitudes; behaviors that may contribute to intentional or unintentional injuries or violence; or physical activity and nutrition-related behaviors.
AI Summary
This bill requires school districts to obtain written permission from a parent or legal guardian before administering certain anonymous, voluntary student surveys or assessments that inquire about sensitive topics such as alcohol, tobacco, drug, and vaping use, sexual behavior and attitudes, behaviors related to injuries or violence, and physical activity and nutrition. Previously, school districts were only required to provide prior written notification to parents, and a lack of response was considered consent. This bill shifts the requirement to an affirmative grant of permission, meaning parents must actively agree for their child to participate in these surveys. The bill also mandates that districts provide a permission form with detailed information about the survey and how parents can grant or deny consent, and it clarifies that information gathered from these surveys can be used for public health initiatives but not for marketing purposes.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S874 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1000/874_I1.HTM |
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