reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:33-25 - Application.

18A:33-25 Application.
2. a. Nothing in section 1 of P.L.2018, c.28 (C.18A:33-24) shall be deemed to prohibit a school district from becoming a sponsor or site under the Summer Food Service Program. Any school district that is not subject to the requirements of section 1 of P.L.2018, c.28 (C.18A:33-24), but that wishes to become a sponsor or site under the Summer Food Service Program, shall submit, to the Department of Agriculture, an application to become a sponsor or documentation showing that the school district will become a site under an existing and approved sponsor.
b. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2022, c.104)
L.2018, c.28, s.2; amended 2022, c.104, s.19.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:33-26 - Waiver.

18A:33-26 Waiver.
3. a. The Department of Agriculture may grant a waiver of the requirements of this act to a school district subject to the requirements of this act that lacks the staff, facilities, or equipment to sponsor the federal Summer Food Service Program, or the means to finance the hiring or acquisition of such staff, facilities, or equipment, if a waiver is requested by the school district. The Department of Agriculture also may grant a waiver for one year to a school district if a different sponsor currently runs the federal Summer Food Service Program within the same community.
b. A school district that requests a waiver pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall report to the Department of Agriculture, in the manner prescribed by the department, its reasons for requesting a waiver. The report shall include, but need not be limited to, a description of the specific impediments to implementing the program and actions that could be taken to remove those impediments or, where applicable, the identification of the sponsor that currently runs the program within the same community.
L.2018, c.28, s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:3-27.3 - Food voucher system to provide school meals.

18A:3-27.3 Food voucher system to provide school meals.
2. In the event that a board of education is provided a written directive by either the New Jersey Department of Health or the health officer of the jurisdiction to institute a public health-related closure due to the COVID-19 epidemic, and the school district is unable to provide school meals pursuant to section 1 of this act to a student who is eligible for a free and reduced price meal, the school district shall establish a food voucher system for these students, in accordance with criteria promulgated by the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services. The food voucher system shall provide funds to enable these students to access nutritious food at food retail stores.
L.2020, c.6, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:33-27.4 - Costs borne by State.

18A:33-27.4 Costs borne by State.
3. The State shall bear any costs not reimbursed by the federal government which are incurred by the school districts in effectuating the provisions of this act. The State shall maximize the waiver flexibilities being provided by the federal government to address the loss of meals for low-income children due to COVID-19-related school closures.
L.2020, c.6, s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:33-27.5 - Department of Agriculture, provision of summer per meal financial supplement; annual report; funds appropriation.

18A:33-27.5 Department of Agriculture, provision of summer per meal financial supplement; annual report; funds appropriation.
1. a. The Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Education, shall provide a 10-cent per meal supplement to the existing federal reimbursement to operators of the federal summer food service program and the Seamless Summer Option (SSO).
b. The Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Education, shall provide guidance and support to school districts necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act.
c. The Department of Agriculture shall prepare and issue an annual report to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature on the annual cost of the summer food service program and the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) supplement to the State per month, and the number of additional students, since the prior year, participating in the summer food service program or the Seamless Summer Option (SSO).
d. The Legislature shall annually appropriate such funds as are necessary to implement this act.
L.2021, c.246.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:33-28 - Posting of information about child abuse hotline.

18A:33-28 Posting of information about child abuse hotline.
1. A board of education shall prominently display information about the Department of Children and Families' State Central Registry, a toll free hotline for reporting child abuse, in each school of the district. The information shall give instructions to call 911 for emergencies and shall include directions for accessing the department's website or social media platforms for more information on reporting abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
The information shall be in a format and language that is clear, simple, and understandable. The information shall be on a poster and displayed at each school in at least one high-traffic, highly and clearly visible public area that is readily accessible to and widely used by students.
L.2019, c.178, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:33-29 - Findings, declarations.

18A:33-29 Findings, declarations.
1. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. New Jersey recognizes that access to menstrual products is vital for ensuring the health, dignity, and full participation of all New Jerseyans in public life.
b. A lack of access to menstrual products during the school day has a direct impact on a student's academic performance and affects the student's overall educational outcomes.
c. Students lacking access to menstrual products experience higher rates of absences and are less able to focus and engage in the classroom when they are present. Absenteeism can lead to significant performance gaps and is linked to social disengagement, feelings of alienation, and adverse outcomes, even well into adulthood.
d. Expanding student access to menstrual products can result in increased attendance rates. A pilot program at a New York City high school saw a 2.4 percent increase in attendance in the participating school and subsequently, the state of New York enacted legislation providing free menstrual products to students.
e. By providing students with free access to menstrual products, the State can help reduce disparities in education and ensure that students are given the resources and educational access needed to meet their full potential.
f. It is the intent of the Legislature that this act provide for the health, dignity, and safety of menstruating students at every socioeconomic level, as well as to help normalize menstruation among all.
L.2023, c.147, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:33-30 - Schools, grades six through 12, direct access, menstrual products, free of charge; Department of Education, Department of Health, review, assess, recommendations.

18A:33-30 Schools, grades six through 12, direct access, menstrual products, free of charge; Department of Education, Department of Health, review, assess, recommendations.
2. a. As used in this section, "menstrual products" mean tampons and sanitary napkins for use in connection with the menstrual cycle.
b. A school district shall ensure that students in each school educating students in grades six through 12, or any combination thereof, have direct access to menstrual products in at least 50 percent of female and gender-neutral school bathrooms, if applicable, free of charge.
c. Any costs incurred by a school district in providing an adequate supply of menstrual products to meet the needs of its students shall be borne by the State.
d. The Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Health, shall periodically review and assess whether the provision of free menstrual products pursuant to this act meets the needs of menstruating students, and, if necessary, shall make recommendations regarding the expansion of access to menstrual products to students in grades below grade six.
L.2023, c.147, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:34-1 - Textbooks; selection; furnished free with supplies; appropriations

18A:34-1. Textbooks; selection; furnished free with supplies; appropriations
Textbooks shall be selected by the recorded roll call majority vote of the full membership of the board of education of the district and they and other school supplies shall be furnished free of cost for use by all pupils in the public schools and money therefor shall be appropriated and raised annually in each school district in the same manner as other school moneys are appropriated and raised in the district.
L.1967, c.271.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:34-2 - Care and keeping of textbooks and accounting

18A:34-2. Care and keeping of textbooks and accounting
Every board of education shall make rules for the safekeeping and proper care of textbooks, and shall keep an account of all moneys expended by it for textbooks and supplies, in accordance with bookkeeping directions prescribed by the state board.
L.1967, c.271.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:34-3 - Statewide textbook bank, creation; database

18A:34-3. Statewide textbook bank, creation; database
1. a. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the Department of Education shall coordinate the sharing of textbooks among school districts by creating a Statewide textbook bank. The Department of Education shall create and maintain a database of all textbooks that will be discarded by each school district. The textbook bank database shall be made available on the Department of Education's website and a list of all available textbooks shall be sent to each school district periodically.
b. Each school district shall notify the Department of Education of any textbooks the district intends to discard. The Department of Education shall within 14 days of receiving notification from the school district of the intent to dispose of the textbooks, list the textbooks in the textbook bank database. School districts shall retain the textbooks to be discarded for a period of 120 days after the district has notified the Department of Education.
c. Districts acquiring textbooks using the textbook bank database are responsible for all costs associated with receiving them from the donating district.
d. The department shall make the textbook bank database available for use by nonpublic schools.
L.2002,c.98,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:34-4 - Guidelines on useful life of certain textbooks

18A:34-4. Guidelines on useful life of certain textbooks
2. a. The Department of Education shall develop and disseminate to school districts, guidelines on the useful life of textbooks in the core curriculum content standards subject areas. Textbooks exceeding the useful life guidelines established by the department shall be exempt from the provisions of section 1 of this act.
b. The provisions of section 1 of this act shall not apply to textbooks that are worn out or useless due to damage or mutilation.
L.2002,c.98,s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-1 - 2-year course of study in history

18A:35-1. 2-year course of study in history
The superintendent of schools in each school district shall prepare and recommend to the board of education of the district, and the board of education shall adopt a suitable two-year course of study in the history of the United States, including the history of New Jersey, to be given to each student during the last four years of high school. Said course of study shall include materials recommended by the commissioner dealing with the history of the Negro in America.
L.1967, c.271; amended by L. 1973, c. 20; 1987, c. 52, s. 1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-2 - Contents of course of study

18A:35-2. Contents of course of study
Such course of study shall include instruction in
(1) The principles and ideals of the American form of representative government as expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States and particularly in the Bill of Rights; and
(2) The history of the origin and growth of the social, economic and cultural development of the United States, of American family life and of the high standard of living and other privileges enjoyed by the citizens of the United States; and
(3) Such other events in the history of the United States as will tend to instill, into every girl and boy, a determination to preserve these principles and ideals as those of citizens of the United States and an appreciation of their solemn duty and obligation to exercise the privilege of the ballot, upon their reaching voting age, to the end that said principles and ideals may be so preserved; and
(4) The history of the State of New Jersey.
L.1967, c.271; amended by L. 1987, c. 52, s. 2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-2.1 - Civics curriculum guidelines.

18A:35-2.1 Civics curriculum guidelines.
1. The New Jersey Center for Civic Education at Rutgers, The State University shall prepare curriculum guidelines and provide professional development for high school social studies teachers to help local school boards in fulfilling the requirements of integrating civics, economics, and the history of New Jersey as part of the required United States history course established pursuant to N.J.S.18A:35-1 and N.J.S.18A:35-2.
L.1987, c.425, s.1; amended 2021, c.185, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-3 - Course in civics, geography and history of New Jersey

18A:35-3. Course in civics, geography and history of New Jersey
Each board of education shall adopt a course of study in community civics, the geography, history and civics of New Jersey, and the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship as they relate to community and national welfare, which course shall be taken by all pupils in the public elementary schools in the grade or grades in which it is given, with the object of producing the highest type of patriotic citizenship.
L.1967, c.271.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.1 - Course of study in principles of humanity

18A:35-4.1. Course of study in principles of humanity
Each board of education may teach, by special courses or by emphasis in appropriate places of the curriculum, in a manner adapted to the ages and capabilities of the pupils in the several grades and departments, the principles of humanity as the same apply to kindness and avoidance of cruelty to animals and birds, both wild and domesticated.
L.1967, c.271.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.2 - Career development program

18A:35-4.2. Career development program
That the Commissioner of Education and the State Board of Education shall have the authority and responsibility under this act to establish and operate a Career Development Program comprised of pilot vocational education projects.
L.1970, c. 230, s. 1, eff. Oct. 19, 1970.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.3 - Sexual assault prevention education program

18A:35-4.3. Sexual assault prevention education program
The Department of Education in consultation with the advisory committee provided for in section 2 of this act, shall develop and establish guidelines for the teaching of sexual assault prevention techniques for utilization by local school districts in the establishment of a sexual assault prevention education program. Such program shall be adapted to the age and understanding of the pupils and shall be emphasized in appropriate places of the curriculum sufficiently for a full and adequate treatment of the subject.
L.1979, c. 42, s. 1, eff. July 1, 1979.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.4 - Advisory Council.

18A:35-4.4 Advisory Council.
2. The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Department of Children and Families, Division on Women, shall appoint an advisory council to assist and advise the State Board of Education in the development and implementation of educational programs for the prevention of sexual assault.
The advisory council shall consist of 15 members chosen from among the legal, law enforcement, medical, and educational communities, and shall also include representatives of community-based groups providing services and assistance to victims of sexual assault. Each shall be appointed for a 2-year term and shall serve without compensation.
L.1979, c.42, s.2; amended 2012, c.16, s.41.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.5 - Establishment of program; voluntary participation

18A:35-4.5. Establishment of program; voluntary participation
One year after the effective date of this act each board of education may establish a sexual assault prevention education program in accordance with the guidelines developed by the department; provided, however, that no child shall be compelled to participate in said program upon written objection on religious or moral grounds by the parent or guardian of said child.
L.1979, c. 42, s. 3, eff. July 1, 1979.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.5a - Sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention education.

18A:35-4.5a Sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention education.
1. Each school district shall incorporate age-appropriate sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention education in grades preschool through 12 as part of the district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Department of Children and Families, the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey, the New Jersey Children's Alliance, and other entities with relevant expertise, shall provide school districts with age-appropriate sample learning activities and resources.
L.2019, c.185, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.7 - Parent's statement of conflict with conscience

18A:35-4.7. Parent's statement of conflict with conscience
Any child whose parent or guardian presents to the school principal a signed statement that any part of the instructions in health, family life education or sex education is in conflict with his conscience, or sincerely held moral or religious beliefs shall be excused from that portion of the course where such instruction is being given and no penalties as to credit or graduation shall result therefrom.
L.1979, c. 428, s. 2, eff. Feb. 11, 1980.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.8 - Medical treatment or examination; objection of parent or guardian.

18A:35-4.8 Medical treatment or examination; objection of parent or guardian.
3. No pupil whose parent or guardian objects to such pupil receiving medical treatment or medical examination or physical examination shall be compelled to receive such treatment or examination; provided, however, that no objection shall be made to a physical or medical examination of any child with a disability for the purpose of determining whether such child shall be admitted to any class or school for children with disabilities or of any pupil to determine whether the pupil is ill or infected with a communicable disease or of any person who appears to be under the influence of a drug.
L.1979, c.428, s.3; amended 2017, c.131, s.23.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.9 - Pupil promotion, remediation policies, procedures

18A:35-4.9. Pupil promotion, remediation policies, procedures
Local boards of education shall adopt policies and procedures for:
a. Pupil promotion and remediation, related to district goals, objectives and pupil proficiency;
b. Notification to parents of policies and procedures for student promotion and remediation and to pupils, where appropriate;
c. Notification to parents and pupils, at appropriate times during the school year, of the pupil's progress in meeting the promotion and remediation standards and immediate consultation with the pupil's parent or guardian if, in the teacher's judgment, there is any indication that the pupil's progress may not be sufficient to meet these standards;
d. Procedures for parents and adult pupils to appeal promotion/retention decisions; and
e. Procedures to ensure that parents, teachers and students, where appropriate, participate in the development of the policy.
L. 1985, c. 480, s. 1, eff. Jan. 17, 1986.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.10 - Rules, regulations

18A:35-4.10. Rules, regulations
The State Board of Education shall adopt pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L. 1968, c. 410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.) such rules and regulations as are deemed appropriate to carry out the provisions of this act.
L. 1985, c. 480, s. 2, eff. Jan. 17, 1986.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.11 - Findings, declarations

18A:35-4.11. Findings, declarations
The Legislature finds and declares that agriculture is an applied science and that certified agriculture teachers have strong scientific educational backgrounds which qualify them to teach agricultural science courses. The Legislature further finds that recent changes in the State high school graduation requirements have increased the number of science credits needed for graduation thereby reducing student opportunities to participate in agricultural education courses such as plant science, animal science, agricultural biology, and agricultural science.
L.1991,c.114,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.12 - Curriculum guidelines for agricultural science education programs

18A:35-4.12. Curriculum guidelines for agricultural science education programs
The Department of Education, in consultation with teachers who hold an instructional certificate with an agriculture endorsement, shall develop curriculum guidelines for agricultural science education programs appropriate for use in grades 9 through 12 of the public schools. The department shall make these curriculum guidelines available to all school districts in the State.
L.1991,c.114,s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.13 - Evaluation of agricultural science courses, programs

18A:35-4.13. Evaluation of agricultural science courses, programs
The Department of Education shall establish a standardized process for the evaluation of agricultural science courses and programs offered by local school districts for the purpose of identifying the science skills that are taught in the course or program. Any student who satisfactorily completes an agricultural science course or program which is determined to contain appropriate science skills shall receive credit toward meeting high school graduation requirements for science established by statute or regulation.
L.1991,c.114,s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.14 - Agricultural science proficiencies included in science core courses

18A:35-4.14. Agricultural science proficiencies included in science core courses
In the event that the State Board of Education develops Statewide core course proficiencies in science, the State board shall include the agricultural science proficiencies contained in the curriculum guidelines established pursuant to section 2 of this act in those proficiencies.
L.1991,c.114,s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.15 - Findings, declarations

18A:35-4.15. Findings, declarations
1. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. chess increases strategic thinking skills, stimulates intellectual creativity, and improves problem-solving ability while raising self esteem;
b. when youngsters play chess they must call upon higher-order thinking skills, analyze actions and consequences, and visualize future possibilities;
c. in countries where chess is offered widely in schools, students exhibit excellence in the ability to recognize complex patterns and consequently excel in math and science; and
d. instruction in chess during the second grade will enable pupils to learn skills which will serve them throughout their lives.
L.1992,c.201,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.16 - Instruction in chess; guidelines

18A:35-4.16. Instruction in chess; guidelines
2. Each board of education may offer instruction in chess during the second grade for pupils in gifted and talented and special education programs. The Department of Education may establish guidelines to be used by boards of education which offer chess instruction in those programs.
L.1992,c.201,s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.17 - Notification to students of risks of using computer services for illegal purposes; guidelines.

18A:35-4.17 Notification to students of risks of using computer services for illegal purposes; guidelines.
4. Every district or regional board of education shall, as part of any computer education instruction it provides, notify students on the potential risks and dangers posed to children by persons who use interactive computer services for illegal purposes. The notification shall be adapted to the age and understanding of elementary and secondary school pupils. The notification shall include information concerning the safe computing guidelines made available on the internet by the department pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1998, c.134 (C.52:17B-193). The Department of Education shall recommend guidelines and curriculum materials for utilization by local school districts on the ethical use of computers and the potential risks and dangers posed to juveniles by persons who use interactive computer services for unlawful purposes.
L.1998,c.134,s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.18 - Credit for world language course not offered by public school

18A:35-4.18. Credit for world language course not offered by public school
8. A pupil who is enrolled in a public high school within the State who wishes to take a world language course not offered in the resident public school district may complete and receive credit toward high school graduation for a world language course offered by a religious organization or any other nonpublic school organization or entity. In order to receive credit for the course, the pupil shall meet local district proficiency requirements.
L.2001,c.203,s.8.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.18.1 - American Sign Language recognized as world language for meeting high school graduation requirements.

18A:35-4.18.1 American Sign Language recognized as world language for meeting high school graduation requirements.
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law, rule or regulation to the contrary, American Sign Language shall be recognized as a world language for the purpose of meeting any State or local world language requirement for high school graduation.
L.2015, c.87, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.20 - Sex education programs to stress abstinence.

18A:35-4.20 Sex education programs to stress abstinence.
2. Any sex education that is given as part of any planned course, curriculum or other instructional program and that is intended to impart information or promote discussion or understanding in regard to human sexual behavior, sexual feelings and sexual values, human sexuality and reproduction, pregnancy avoidance or termination, HIV infection or sexually transmitted diseases, regardless of whether such instruction is described as, or incorporated into a description of "sex education," "family life education," "family health education," "health education," "family living," "health," "self esteem," or any other course, curriculum program or goal of education, and any materials including, but not limited, to handouts, speakers, notes or audiovisuals presented on school property concerning methods for the prevention of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), other sexually transmitted diseases and of avoiding pregnancy, shall stress that abstinence from sexual activity is the only completely reliable means of eliminating the sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases and of avoiding pregnancy.
L.2001,c.303,s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.21 - Abstinence from sexual activity stressed in curriculum.

18A:35-4.21 Abstinence from sexual activity stressed in curriculum.
3. The board of education shall include in its family life and HIV/AIDS curriculum instruction on reasons, skills and strategies for remaining or becoming abstinent from sexual activity. Any instruction concerning the use of contraceptives or prophylactics such as condoms shall also include information on their failure rates for preventing pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases in actual use among adolescent populations and shall clearly explain the difference between risk reduction through the use of such devices and risk elimination through abstinence.
L.2001,c.303,s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.22 - Avoidance of IV drug use stressed.

18A:35-4.22 Avoidance of IV drug use stressed.
4. In addition, any course, program or material concerning methods for the prevention of HIV/AIDS shall stress the importance of avoiding intravenous drug use.
L.2001,c.303,s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.23 - Domestic violence, child abuse, instruction on those problems

18A:35-4.23. Domestic violence, child abuse, instruction on those problems
1. A board of education may include instruction on the problems of domestic violence and child abuse in an appropriate place in the curriculum of elementary school, middle school and high school pupils. The instruction shall enable pupils to understand the psychology and dynamics of family violence, dating violence and child abuse, the relationship of alcohol and drug use to such violence and abuse, the relationship of animal cruelty to such violence and abuse, and to learn methods of non-violent problem-solving.
L.2003,c.46.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.23a - Dating violence education incorporated into health education curriculum.

18A:35-4.23a Dating violence education incorporated into health education curriculum.
6. a. Beginning with the 2011-2012 school year, each school district shall incorporate dating violence education that is age appropriate into the health education curriculum as part of the district's implementation of the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education for students in grades 7 through 12.
b. The dating violence education shall include, but not be limited to, information on the definition of dating violence, recognizing dating violence warning signs, and the characteristics of healthy relationships.
c. To assist school districts in developing a dating violence education program, the Department of Education shall recommend educational resources on dating violence.
d. Upon written request to the school principal, a parent or legal guardian of a student less than 18 years of age, shall be permitted within a reasonable period of time after the request is made, to examine the dating violence education program instruction materials developed by the school district.
e. As used in this section:
"Dating partner" means any person involved in an intimate association with another individual that is primarily characterized by the expectation of affectionate involvement, whether casual, serious, or long-term.
"Dating violence" means a pattern of behavior where one person threatens to use, or actually uses physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse to control a dating partner.
L.2011, c.64, s.6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.24 - Definitions relative to alternative education projects.

18A:35-4.24 Definitions relative to alternative education projects.
1. As used in this act:
"Alternative education project" means the use of video tapes, models, films, books, computers, or any other tools which provide an alternative method for obtaining and testing the knowledge, information, or experience required by a course of study.
"Animal" means any living organism that is an invertebrate, or is in the phylum chordata or organisms which have a notochord and includes an animal's cadaver or severed parts of an animal's cadaver.
L.2005,c.266,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.25 - Refusal to participate in certain school activities related to animal dissection, etc.

18A:35-4.25 Refusal to participate in certain school activities related to animal dissection, etc.
2. a. A public school pupil from kindergarten through grade 12 may refuse to dissect, vivisect, incubate, capture or otherwise harm or destroy animals or any parts thereof as part of a course of instruction.
b. A school shall notify pupils and their parents or guardians at the beginning of each school year of the right to decline to participate in the activities enumerated in subsection a. of this section and shall authorize parents or guardians to assert the right of their children to refuse to participate in these activities. Within two weeks of the receipt of the notice, the pupils, parents or guardians shall notify the school if the right to decline participation in the enumerated activities will be exercised.
c. Any pupil who chooses to refrain from participation in or observation of a portion of a course of instruction in accordance with this section shall be offered an alternative education project for the purpose of providing the pupil with the factual knowledge, information or experience required by the course of study. A pupil may refuse to participate in an alternative education project which involves or necessitates any harmful use of an animal or animal parts.
d. A pupil shall not be discriminated against, in grading or in any other manner, based upon a decision to exercise the rights afforded pursuant to this act.
L.2005,c.266,s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.26 - Instruction in gang violence prevention; required for elementary school students.

18A:35-4.26 Instruction in gang violence prevention; required for elementary school students.
1. Each board of education that operates an educational program for elementary school students shall offer instruction in gang violence prevention and in ways to avoid membership in gangs. The instruction shall take place as part of the district's implementation of the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education, and the comprehensive health and physical education curriculum framework shall provide school districts with sample materials that may be used to support implementation of the instructional requirement.
L.2007, c.22, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.27 - Instruction on responsible use of social media.

18A:35-4.27 Instruction on responsible use of social media.
1. a. Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, each school district shall incorporate instruction on the responsible use of social media into the technology education curriculum for students in grades 6 through 8 as part of the district's implementation of the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Technology.
b. The instruction shall provide students with information on:
(1) the purpose and acceptable use of various social media platforms;
(2) social media behavior that ensures cyber safety, cyber security, and cyber ethics; and
(3) potential negative consequences, including cyber bullying, of failing to use various social media platforms responsibly.
c. The Commissioner of Education shall provide school districts with sample learning activities and resources designed to promote the responsible use of social media.
L.2013, c.257, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.28 - Instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, use of automated external defibrillator for certain students.

18A:35-4.28 Instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, use of automated external defibrillator for certain students.
1. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, the board of education of a public school district that includes grades 9 through 12, or the board of trustees of a charter school that includes grades 9 through 12, shall provide instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator to each student prior to graduation as part of the district's implementation of the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. The board of education, or board of trustees, may select a no-cost, non-certification instructional program to meet this requirement.
b. The provisions of subsection a. of this section shall first be effective with the 2014-2015 grade nine class.
L.2014, c.36, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.29 - Instruction provided.

18A:35-4.29 Instruction provided.
2. The instruction provided pursuant to section 1 of this act shall:
a. be modeled from an instructional program established by the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or other nationally-recognized association with expertise in instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator; and
b. include a hands-on learning component for each participating student.
L.2014, c.36, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.30 - Weighting of certain courses in calculating pupil grade point averages.

18A:35-4.30 Weighting of certain courses in calculating pupil grade point averages.
1. a. A school district shall weight courses in the visual and performing arts equally with other courses of the same level of academic rigor and worth the same number of credits in calculating a pupil's grade point average.
b. As used in this section, "academic rigor" means a course's classification as a general education course, an honors course, or an advanced placement course.
L.2015, c.262, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.31 - Recess period required; exceptions.

18A:35-4.31 Recess period required; exceptions.
1. a. Beginning with the first full school year following the effective date of this act, a public school district shall provide a daily recess period of at least 20 minutes for students in grades kindergarten through 5. The recess period shall be held outdoors, if feasible. A student shall not be denied recess for any reason, except as a consequence of a violation of the district's code of student conduct, including a harassment, intimidation, or bullying investigation pursuant to P.L.2002, c.83 (C.18A:37-13 et seq.). If a student is denied recess, except under conditions set forth in subsection b. of this section, the student shall be provided restorative justice activities during the recess period. A student may not be denied recess more than twice per week.
A school district shall not be required to provide a recess period on a school day in which the day is substantially shortened due to a delayed opening or early dismissal.
The recess period shall not be used to meet the course requirements set forth in N.J.S.18A:35-5.
b. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit school staff from denying recess for a student on the advice of a medical professional, school nurse, or based on the provisions of a student's 504 plan.
c. For purposes of this section, "restorative justice activities" means activities designed to improve the socioemotional and behavioral responses of students through the use of more appropriate, and less punitive, interventions thereby establishing a more supportive and inclusive school culture.
L.2018, c.73, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.32 - Findings, declarations relative to "sexting."

18A:35-4.32 Findings, declarations relative to "sexting."
1. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. The teenage practice of "sexting," sending a sexually explicit text message, is a nationwide issue for students, parents, school administrators, and law enforcement officials.
b. What many teens do not realize is that, by law, a sexual image of any person under the age of 18 is child pornography. Prosecutors in several states have charged teenagers who have engaged in this behavior with criminal offenses, including distribution of child pornography.
c. Pursuant to a law which became effective in April, 2012, the New Jersey Legislature provided for a diversionary program for juveniles who are criminally charged for "sexting" or posting sexual images and permits them to participate in a remedial education or counseling program as an alternative to criminal prosecution.
d. Beyond the legal consequences of this behavior, however, sexting also has significant non-legal consequences including, but not limited to, the effect on relationships, loss of educational and employment opportunities, and being barred or removed from school programs and extracurricular activities.
e. Because of the unique characteristics of cyberspace and the Internet, a single sext has the potential to cause long-term and possibly unforeseen consequences, and result in severe embarrassment, ridicule, cyber-bullying, and lasting mental and emotional trauma.
f. It is imperative that students understand at a young age the severity of sending sexually explicit text messages and the impact that these actions have on the students themselves, their victims, and the community and that they receive instruction on how and why to refrain from this very dangerous behavior.
L.2018, c.80, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.33 - Information provided to students.

18A:35-4.33 Information provided to students.
2. A board of education shall include instruction on the social, emotional, and legal consequences of distributing and soliciting sexually explicit images through electronic means once during middle school in an appropriate place in the curriculum as part of the school district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. The Commissioner of Education shall provide school districts with age-appropriate sample learning activities and resources designed to implement this requirement.
L.2018, c.80, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.34 - Financial literacy instruction.

18A:35-4.34 Financial literacy instruction.
1. The State Board of Education shall require that a school district incorporate in each of the grades six through eight financial literacy instruction to pupils enrolled in those grades. The purpose of the instruction shall be to provide middle school students with the basic financial literacy necessary for sound financial decision-making.
The instruction shall meet the requirements established by the State board and shall:
a. be appropriate to, and reflect the age and comprehension of, the students enrolled in the particular grade level; and
b. include content on budgeting, savings, credit, debt, insurance, investment, and other issues associated with personal financial responsibility as determined by the State board.
The Commissioner of Education shall provide school districts with sample instructional materials and resources that may be used to support the implementation of the financial literacy instruction requirement.
L.2018, c.167, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.35 - History of disabled and LGBT persons included in middle and high school curriculum

18A:35-4.35. History of disabled and LGBT persons included in middle and high school curriculum
1. A board of education shall include instruction on the political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, in an appropriate place in the curriculum of middle school and high school students as part of the district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
L.2019, c.6, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.36 - Policies, procedures pertaining to inclusive instructional materials

18A:35-4.36. Policies, procedures pertaining to inclusive instructional materials
2. A board of education shall have policies and procedures in place pertaining to the selection of instructional materials to implement the requirements of section 1 of this act. When adopting instructional materials for use in the schools of the district, a board of education shall adopt inclusive instructional materials that portray the cultural and economic diversity of society including the political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, where appropriate.
L.2019, c.6, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:35-4.36a - Curriculum to contain instruction on diversity and inclusion.

18A:35-4.36a Curriculum to contain instruction on diversity and inclusion.
1. a. Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, each school district shall incorporate instruction on diversity and inclusion in an appropriate place in the curriculum of students in grades kindergarten through 12 as part of the district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
b. The instruction shall:
(1) highlight and promote diversity, including economic diversity, equity, inclusion, tolerance, and belonging in connection with gender and sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, disabilities, and religious tolerance;
(2) examine the impact that unconscious bias and economic disparities have at both an individual level and on society as a whole; and
(3) encourage safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments for all students regardless of race or ethnicity, sexual and gender identities, mental and physical disabilities, and religious beliefs.
c. The Commissioner of Education shall provide school districts with sample learning activities and resources designed to promote diversity and inclusion.
L.2021, c.32.