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Bill > S2205
NJ S2205
NJ S2205Eliminates requirement for State residency of public school employees for period of three years.
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 provides for a three year period during which a person newly hired by a school district, charter school, or renaissance school project is not to be required to comply with the State residency requirement under R.S.52:14-7. This State residency requirement was established by law in 2011 and currently applies to all public officers and employees in the State, with certain limited exceptions. The bill also specifies that a person newly hired by a school district, charter school, or renaissance school project who maintains or establishes a principal residence outside of this State during the three year period is not to be required to comply with the residency requirement after the end of the three year period, regardless of whether the person changes their principal residence or experiences a break in service or employment with a school district, charter school, or renaissance school project after the end of the three year period. Under the bill, a school district, charter school, or renaissance school seeking to fill an open position would be required to make a good faith effort to hire a person who maintains a principal residence in the State for the open position. The bill requires the Department of Education, not later than 90 days after the end of the three year period, to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature that evaluates the elimination of the residency requirement for persons hired by a school district, charter school, or renaissance school project during the three year period, with specific regard to its effectiveness, any unintended consequences, and any recommendations for legislation. Finally, the bill revises the definition of "school district," as that term is used in R.S.52:14-7, to include approved private schools for students with disabilities. The addition of approved private schools for students with disabilities to the definition of "school district" expressly provides that these schools are subject to the State residency requirement under R.S.52:14-7, and also expressly provides that these schools are subject to the three year exemption to the State residency requirement established under the bill.
AI Summary
This bill temporarily waives the requirement for new public school employees, including those in charter schools and renaissance school projects, to reside in the state for three years after being hired, provided the position was advertised to state residents for at least three months and the new hire wasn't previously employed by a similar institution in the state within the last year. During this three-year period, these institutions must still make a good-faith effort to hire in-state residents, and any employee who establishes residency outside the state during this exemption will be subject to the residency requirement after the three years end. The bill also mandates that the Department of Education report on the effectiveness of this temporary exemption after it concludes, and it expands the definition of "school district" to include approved private schools for students with disabilities, making them subject to both the residency requirement and this new three-year exemption.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (8)
Teresa Ruiz (D)*,
Shirley Turner (D)*,
Tony Bucco (R),
Patrick Diegnan (D),
Angela Mcknight (D),
Declan O'Scanlon (R),
Parker Space (R),
Andrew Zwicker (D),
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/S2205 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2500/2205_I1.HTM |
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