Bill
Bill > S1376
NJ S1376
NJ S1376Requires public schools that offer student psychological services to offer remote sessions.
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 requires school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects that employ a school psychologist and offer in-person school psychology services to students in grades kindergarten through 12 to allow students to attend counseling sessions or meetings of any kind through virtual or remote means. Under the bill, a student will not be eligible to participate in remote psychology sessions if the school psychologist determines that in-person counseling is in the best interest of the student. Also under the bill, a student will not be required to attend a school counseling session or meeting with a school psychologist remotely, and will be permitted to continue to attend sessions in-person. As used in the bill, a "school psychologist" means a person who holds a New Jersey standard educational services certificate with a school psychologist endorsement. School psychologists assist educators in implementing safe, healthy classroom and school environments by providing students with a wide range of emotional and academic services. This billensures that students who are unable to attend in-person sessions, for whatever reason, will continue to have access to their school psychologist by offering virtual or remote counseling sessions.
AI Summary
This bill requires public schools, including charter schools and renaissance school projects, that employ a school psychologist and offer in-person psychological services to students from kindergarten through 12th grade to also allow those students to participate in counseling sessions or meetings remotely, or virtually, unless the school psychologist determines that in-person sessions are necessary for the student's best interest. A school psychologist is defined as someone holding a specific New Jersey educational certificate for that role, and these professionals help students with emotional and academic needs to create a safe and healthy school environment. Importantly, students are not required to attend sessions remotely and can continue to do so in person if they prefer.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (2)
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/S1376 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1500/1376_I1.HTM |
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