Bill

Bill > S2179


NJ S2179

NJ S2179
Provides for expansion of social services supports at county colleges.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
01/13/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
01/13/2026

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill provides for the expansion of social services supports at county colleges in the State. Under the bill, the New Jersey Council of County Colleges is to collaborate with each county college in the State to identify gaps in meeting basic student needs among low-income students. The bill requires the council, in consultation with the Department of Human Services (DHS), to provide information to designated representatives at county colleges on available social services supports and enrollment procedures. Additionally, the bill permits the council to facilitate partnerships between county colleges and State agencies, county boards of social services, or community-based and other non-profit organizations to increase enrollment in social services supports among students in need. The bill further requires each county college to work with a representative of the county board of social services to provide direct assistance to students and to help students in accessing social services supports. Additionally, the bill requires the Division of Family Development in the DHS to work with local workforce development boards and community college staff to better assist students with applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Childcare Subsidy, and other available social services supports. Under the bill, each county board of social services is to designate an employee of the agency to be responsible for collaborating with the county's community college representatives to ensure social services supports applications and related documents meet all requirements for consideration. Finally, the bill requires each county college and local workforce development board to jointly engage with workforce training providers, economic development organizations, and community-based and other non-profit organizations to assist the entities in identifying populations of unemployed and underemployed residents who may benefit from enrollment in a county college if those partnerships do not currently exist. The partnerships are to facilitate enrollment in county colleges to provide career pathways.

AI Summary

This bill aims to expand social services supports for low-income students attending county colleges in New Jersey by requiring the New Jersey Council of County Colleges to work with each college to identify unmet basic needs and then, in coordination with the Department of Human Services (DHS), provide information on available social services and how to enroll. The bill also empowers the council to foster partnerships between county colleges and various organizations, including state agencies and non-profits, to boost enrollment in these services for students in need. Furthermore, it mandates that county colleges collaborate with county social services representatives to offer direct student assistance and streamline access to programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), and Childcare Subsidy, with the Division of Family Development within the DHS assisting in this process. Each county board of social services will assign an employee to work with colleges to ensure applications are processed correctly and to simplify the enrollment process for students. Finally, county colleges and local workforce development boards will partner with workforce training providers and other organizations to identify unemployed or underemployed individuals who could benefit from county college programs, thereby creating career pathways.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (4)

Last Action

Withdrawn Because Approved P.L.2025, c.312. (on 01/13/2026)

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