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Bill > A437
NJ A437
NJ A437Requires public schools that offer student psychological services to offer remote sessions.
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 requires school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects that employ a school psychologist and offer in-person school psychology services to students in grades kindergarten through 12 to allow students to attend counseling sessions or meetings of any kind through virtual or remote means. Under the bill, a student will not be eligible to participate in remote psychology sessions if the school psychologist determines that in-person counseling is in the best interest of the student. Also under the bill, a student will not be required to attend a school counseling session or meeting with a school psychologist remotely, and will be permitted to continue to attend sessions in-person. As used in the bill, a "school psychologist" means a person who holds a New Jersey standard educational services certificate with a school psychologist endorsement. School psychologists assist educators in implementing safe, healthy classroom and school environments by providing students with a wide range of emotional and academic services. This bill ensures that students who are unable to attend in-person sessions, for whatever reason, will continue to have access to their school psychologist by offering virtual or remote counseling sessions.
AI Summary
This bill requires public schools, including charter schools and renaissance school projects, that employ a school psychologist and offer in-person psychological services to students from kindergarten through 12th grade to also allow these services to be provided remotely or virtually. A school psychologist is defined as someone holding a specific New Jersey educational certificate for that role, and these professionals help students with emotional and academic needs to create a safe school environment. The bill ensures that students who cannot attend in-person sessions for any reason can still access these important services, though a school psychologist can still require in-person attendance if they deem it best for the student's well-being, and students are not forced to attend remotely if they prefer in-person sessions.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (4)
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/A437 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A0500/437_I1.HTM |
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