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Bill > S2014


NJ S2014

NJ S2014
Establishes school district grant program in DOE to reimburse public school teachers for classroom material expenditures.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill establishes a grant program in the Department of Education to provide annual reimbursement to public school teachers employed on a full-time basis for expenditures incurred by a teacher for classroom supplies purchased for use during the school year. The amount of the annual reimbursement per teacher would not exceed $250 per school year, unless sufficient funds remain available to reimburse those teachers who spent more than $250 for classroom supplies. Under the bill, a teacher who wants to apply for reimbursement will submit receipts for the purchase of classroom supplies in the manner prescribed by the district. In the event that all eligible teachers have received reimbursement for their expenditures in an amount equal to $250, or the actual amount of their expenditures if less than $250, any remaining grant funds will be used to reimburse teachers whose expenditures for classroom supplies for the school year exceeded $250. If any grant funds remain at the end of the school budget year, the district will hold the funds in reserve to be applied for the same purpose in the subsequent school budget year. The school district is required to report the amount of the reserve funds to the department. The bill requires that the costs borne by the State to provide the grant funds would be paid from federal funds allocated to the State under the federal "American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act," or any other federal funding made available to address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a grant program within the Department of Education to reimburse full-time public school teachers for classroom supply expenses, with an annual limit of $250 per teacher. Teachers will need to submit receipts to their school district to apply for reimbursement, and if funds remain after all teachers receive up to $250 or their actual expenditure amount (whichever is less), any leftover money will be used to reimburse teachers who spent more than $250, distributing the remaining funds proportionally. Any unspent grant funds at the end of the school year will be held in reserve by the school district for the following year and reported to the Department of Education. The bill defines "classroom supplies" broadly to include books, computer equipment, and other materials used in the classroom, excluding non-athletic items for health or physical education. Importantly, the costs to the state for this program will be covered by federal funds, specifically mentioning the "American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act" or other federal funding related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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