Bill
Bill > A1717
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
Under current law, a school district is required to provide transportation to elementary school students who live more than two miles from their public school of attendance and to high school students who live more than two and one-half miles from their public school of attendance. This bill would amend current law to require a school district to provide transportation to students in elementary school and high school who live more than one and one-half miles from their public school of attendance. The change in the mileage limitation also impacts nonpublic school students who reside in school districts that are required to provide pupil transportation. The bill also amends the transportation eligibility criteria under the "Interdistrict Public School Choice Program Act" to align with the mileage change made by the bill.
AI Summary
This bill lowers the minimum distance from a student's home to their school that requires a school district to provide transportation, from two miles for elementary students and two and a half miles for high school students, to one and a half miles for both. This change applies to students attending public schools, as well as nonpublic schools if the district already provides transportation, and also aligns the transportation eligibility criteria for students participating in the "Interdistrict Public School Choice Program Act," which allows students to attend public schools outside their resident district. The bill also clarifies that districts can offer transportation for students living closer than the new minimum distance on a space-available basis, potentially with parental cost-sharing, and that parents can waive transportation services for their children if they sign a written statement, though districts must still have a policy for hardship cases.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly 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/A1717 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2000/1717_I1.HTM |
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