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Bill > A2708
NJ A2708
NJ A2708Establishes "Next Gen STEM Support Act" to provide financial assistance for innovative STEM programs.
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 directs the Commissioner of Education to establish the "Next Gen STEM Support Act" within one year of the bill's effective date. Under the program, the commissioner is to provide grant funds to public schools to ensure the growth and development of STEM coursework, resources, and extracurricular activities. A grant awarded through the program is to be used to support public schools in: (1) providing STEM coursework; (2) attaining STEM resources necessary to support students engaged in STEM coursework and extracurricular activities; (3) encouraging student participation in STEM coursework and extracurricular activities; and (4) any other activities the commissioner deems necessary. The bill limits the amount of grant funds a public school may allocate for professional training for STEM educators to no more than one-third of the total grant received by the public school. A public school that wishes to participate in the grant program is required to submit an application to the commissioner in a manner and form determined by the commissioner. The application is to include certain listed information. The bill directs the commissioner to develop criteria for the evaluation of grant applications and to allocate, based upon the criteria and within the limit of available appropriations, to each selected public school a grant in an amount as determined by the commissioner. The bill limits the total amount of grant funds to be distributed pursuant to the bill to not more than $100,000 in any one fiscal year. To the maximum extent practicable, the commissioner is to select a cross-section of public schools from the northern, central, and southern regions of the State and a cross-section of public schools from urban, suburban, and rural areas. Under the bill, each public school that receives a grant is to annually submit a report to the commissioner detailing the use of grant funds and the impact of the grant funds on students, STEM coursework, and STEM resources.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the "Next Gen STEM Support Act," a program to provide financial assistance to public schools for innovative science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs. Within one year of the bill's enactment, the Commissioner of Education will create this program, which will offer grants to public schools to enhance their STEM coursework, resources, and extracurricular activities. These grants can be used for providing STEM classes, acquiring necessary equipment and materials like laboratory equipment, computer software, robotic and engineering materials, expanding STEM development and extracurricular activities, and for professional training for STEM educators, though no more than one-third of a grant can be used for this training. To receive a grant, schools must apply with details about their current STEM offerings, student participation, and needs, and the Commissioner will evaluate applications based on developed criteria, aiming to select a diverse range of schools from different regions and types of areas. Schools receiving grants must submit annual reports on how the funds were used and their impact. The total amount of grant funds distributed annually is capped at $100,000.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
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/A2708 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A3000/2708_I1.HTM |
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