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Bill > A2348


NJ A2348

NJ A2348
Permits use of preferred names on student diplomas.


summary

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

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill permits graduating students to use preferred names on diplomas conferred by public and nonpublic schools, institutions of higher education, and proprietary institutions licensed to offer academic degrees. Graduating students would not be required to provide legal documentation sufficient to demonstrate a legal name or gender change in order to use a preferred name. Schools and institutions have the right to deny a preferred name request if the preferred name is intended to misrepresent the person's identity or misappropriate the identity of another person, avoid a legal obligation, harm the reputation or interests of the school or institution, or be derogatory, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate. Schools and institutions would also be required to update a former student's records provided that the former student provides sufficient documentation demonstrating a legal name or gender change. Acceptable documents include a state-issued driver's license, birth certificate, passport, social security card, or court order indicating a legal name or gender change, or both. Upon receipt of proper documentation sufficient to demonstrate a legal name or gender change, a school or institution is required to reissue any documents conferred upon the former student with the former student's updated legal name or gender upon request. Documents that could be reissued include, but are not limited to, a transcript or diploma conferred by the school or institution. Schools and institutions would be permitted to charge a nominal fee for the reissuance of any document requested by a former student pursuant to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill allows graduating students from public and nonpublic schools, colleges, universities, and other degree-granting institutions to use their preferred names on diplomas without needing to provide legal documentation of a name or gender change. However, institutions can deny a preferred name request if it's intended to deceive, impersonate someone else, evade legal responsibilities, harm the institution's reputation, or is offensive. The bill also requires these institutions to update former students' records and reissue documents like diplomas or transcripts with their legal name or gender if the former student provides sufficient proof of a legal name or gender change, such as a driver's license, birth certificate, passport, social security card, or court order, and institutions may charge a small fee for reissuing these documents.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Bill Topics

Civil Rights, Minority Issues, and Civil Liberties
  • ‐ Gender, Identity and Sexual Orientation Discrimination
Education
  • ‐ Elementary and Secondary Education
  • ‐ Higher Education

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location Created
State Bill Page https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A2348 01/28/2026
BillText https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2500/2348_I1.HTM 01/28/2026
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