Bill
Bill > A1242
NJ A1242
NJ A1242Extends limit for nonpublic school busing to 30 miles in Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Ocean, Salem, Sussex, and Warren Counties, and requires existing bus stops to be used.
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 establishes as part of the permanent law the requirement that transportation services or an in-lieu-of payment be provided to a nonpublic school student if the student lives remote from his nonpublic school of attendance and the nonpublic school is located not more than 30 miles from the student's residence in: a county of the second class with a population of less than 275,000 or a population density of less than 600; a county of the third class; a county of the sixth class; or a county of the fifth class with a population of less than 600,000. This would cover transportation in Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Ocean, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Salem, Sussex, and Warren Counties. Nonpublic school pupils eligible for transportation pursuant to this bill will be required by the school district to use the bus stops which serve the pupils whose residences are not more than 20 miles from the nonpublic school. Under the bill, the State will be responsible for any costs incurred by the district in providing transportation or an in-lieu-of payment to these students up to the amount of the statutorily established nonpublic transportation amount. Under existing law, in order to be eligible for transportation services or an aid-in-lieu-of payment, a nonpublic school student must live remote from his school of attendance (2 miles in the case of an elementary school student and 2 1/2 miles in the case of a high school student) and the nonpublic school may not be more than 20 miles from the student's residence. However, over the past several school years, through language included in the appropriations act, transportation services have been provided to nonpublic school students who reside in six rural counties if the nonpublic school is not more than 30 miles from the student's residence. The six counties that have been included in the appropriations act are Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Salem, Sussex, and Warren.
AI Summary
This bill makes permanent a provision that allows school districts in certain counties, specifically Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Ocean, Salem, Sussex, and Warren, to provide transportation or a payment in lieu of transportation to nonpublic school students if their school is located within 30 miles of their residence, an increase from the previous 20-mile limit. This change applies to counties classified by population and density, and importantly, eligible students will be required to use existing bus stops designated for students living within 20 miles of the school, and the State will cover the costs incurred by school districts for this transportation or payment, up to a statutorily established amount.
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/A1242 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1500/1242_I1.HTM |
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