Bill Text: NJ A1681 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Directs DOE to conduct study concerning student caregivers.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-09 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee [A1681 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2024-A1681-Introduced.html

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ASSEMBLY, No. 1681

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

221st LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  REGINALD W. ATKINS

District 20 (Union)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywomen Carter, Quijano and Assemblyman Stanley

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Directs DOE to conduct study concerning student caregivers.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

  

An Act concerning the academic challenges of student caregivers.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    a.  The Department of Education shall conduct a study on the number of students who are caregivers and the impact on student academic outcomes.

     b.    The study shall include, but not be limited to:

     (1) identification of issues experienced by high school students enrolled in public and nonpublic schools in the State who are primary caregivers in their home;

     (2) a review of absenteeism rates for students who identify as caregivers; and

     (3) a review of student academic outcomes, including high school graduation and college enrollment rates, of students who identify as caregivers.

     c.     Within one year of the effective date of this act, the Commissioner of Education shall prepare and submit a written report of the study's findings to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature.  The report shall also include any recommendations, if applicable, regarding the development of a program to address issues identified in the study.

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill directs the Department of Education to conduct a study on students who are caregivers and the impact on student academic outcomes.

     The study is to identify issues experienced by high school students enrolled in public and nonpublic schools in the State who are primary caregivers in their home; a review of absenteeism rates for students who identify as caregivers; and a review of academic outcomes, including high school graduation and college enrollment rates, of students who identify as caregivers.

     This bill also directs the Commissioner of Education to prepare and submit a written report of the study's findings to the Governor and to the Legislature.  The report is required to include any recommendations, if applicable, regarding the development of a program to address issues identified in the study.