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Bill > S1728


NJ S1728

NJ S1728
"Parents' Bill of Rights Act"; requires public school and school district provide certain information to parents and guardians and obtain parental consent prior to taking certain actions.


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 the "Parents' Bill of Rights Act." The bill prohibits a public school or school district from interfering with or denying the rights of parents and guardians of enrolled students, including the right to review copies of the curricula, books, and other educational materials used by the public school or school district that are available to the student; the right to access, as permitted by law, all records generated by the public school or school district that concern the student, the names and professional qualifications of teachers, guest lecturers, and outside presenters who engage with students at the school attended by the student, the names of any outside entity that collects and transmits data concerning the student by the public school or school district, and the names of all third-party individuals and organizations that receive contracts or other funding through the public school or school district; the right to be heard at school board meetings or other governance hearings pertaining to the public school or school district; the right to be notified, as permitted by law, of certain situations affecting the safety of the student at school; and the right, as permitted by law, to visit the student at school during school hours. Under the bill, a public school is required, prior to the start of each school year, to provide the parent or guardian of an enrolled student with the class syllabi and reading list for each class for which the student is registered. The bill prohibits public schools and school districts from requiring a parent or guardian to sign a nondisclosure agreement as a condition of accessing curricular materials, books, or other educational materials. The bill also requires public schools and school districts to obtain written consent from a parent or guardian of an enrolled student prior to collecting biometric data or other sensitive personal information from the student; prior to permitting the attendance of the student at a school assembly, field trip, or other extracurricular activity; and prior to using videographic, photographic, or audio depictions of the student by the public school or school district. The bill provides that a parent or guardian who is denied one or more of the rights identified under the provisions of the bill may bring a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction for injunctive relief. The bill also provides the Office of the Attorney General with the authority to seek an injunction against the public school or school district if the school or district threatens or denies one or more of the rights identified in the bill.

AI Summary

This bill, known as the "Parents' Bill of Rights Act," establishes specific rights for parents and guardians regarding their children's education in public schools and school districts. It ensures parents can review curricula, books, and other educational materials, access student records, and know the professional qualifications of teachers and presenters, as well as the names of outside entities collecting student data or receiving school funding. Parents also have the right to be heard at school board meetings, be notified of certain safety situations affecting their child, and visit their child at school during school hours. Before each school year, schools must provide parents with class syllabi and reading lists, and they cannot require parents to sign nondisclosure agreements to access educational materials. Furthermore, schools must obtain written parental consent before collecting biometric data or other sensitive personal information, allowing students to attend assemblies, field trips, or extracurricular activities, or using video, photo, or audio recordings of students. If these rights are denied, parents can pursue legal action for injunctive relief, and the Office of the Attorney General can also seek an injunction against the school or district.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

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

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