New JerseyA4544220th Legislature (2024-2025)HouseWALLET

Expands eligibility requirements of State's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students.

Sponsored By: Raj Mukherji (Democratic), Eliana Pintor Marin (Democratic), Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (Democratic), M. Teresa Ruiz (Democratic), Alexander Schnall (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Child care aid expands for graduate students

Beginning October 1, 2025, New Jersey's child care aid eligibility includes full-time graduate and post-graduate students. Applicants must be accepted for study at a public or private college or university and enrolled there in good standing. They must also meet the program's income, asset, and residency rules. The expansion depends on available funds in the annual state budget; the law does not set benefit amounts. The Department of Human Services must issue needed rules and seek federal approvals needed to secure federal funding.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Renee C. Burgess
Democratic • Senate
Margie Donlon M.D.
Democratic • House
Mitchelle Drulis
Democratic • House
Roy Freiman
Democratic • House
Robert J. Karabinchak
Democratic • House
Lampitt, Pamela R.
Affiliation unavailable
Yvonne Lopez
Democratic • House
Angela V. McKnight
Democratic • Senate
William F. Moen Jr.
Democratic • House
Luanne M. Peterpaul Esq.
Democratic • House
Ramirez, Jessica
Affiliation unavailable
Gabriel Rodriguez
Democratic • House
William B. Sampson IV
Democratic • House
Robert W. Singer
Republican • Senate
Shanique Speight
Democratic • House
Lisa Swain
Democratic • House
Chris Tully
Democratic • House
Shirley K. Turner
Democratic • Senate
Joseph F. Vitale
Democratic • Senate
Benjie E. Wimberly
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 192 • No: 0

House vote • 6/30/2025

CONCUR IN SA

Yes: 79 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/2/2025

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 38 • No: 0

House vote • 10/28/2024

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 75 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Approved by Governor — P.L.2025, c.148.
10/1/2025Governor
Passed Assembly, PBH — (79-0-0)
6/30/2025House
Received in Assembly, 2RAC
6/12/2025House
Passed Senate — (38-0)
6/2/2025Senate
Substituted for S3429 (1R)
6/2/2025Senate
Reported, 2nd Reading in Senate
3/17/2025Senate
Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
3/17/2025Senate
REP/SCA, 2nd Reading in Senate
12/9/2024Senate
Received in Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee
12/5/2024Senate
Passed Assembly — (75-0-0)
10/28/2024House
Reported, 2nd Reading in Assembly
10/24/2024House
Reported, Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
9/23/2024House
Introduced, 1st Reading in Assembly, Referred to Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee
6/13/2024House

Bill Text

Version PL2025
1/14/2026
HTML PDF
Version AL2025
12/2/2025
HTML PDF
Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens (12/9/24 1R)
7/1/2025
HTML PDF
Senate Budget and Appropriations Substitute (3/17/25 1R)
3/18/2025
HTML PDF
12/19/24; 1R
12/19/2024
HTML PDF
Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Substitute (12/9/24)
12/10/2024
HTML PDF
10/31/24; as introduced
10/31/2024
HTML PDF
As Introduced
10/29/2024
HTML PDF
Assembly Appropriations Substitute (10/24/24)
10/25/2024
HTML PDF
Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Substitute (9/23/24)
9/24/2024
HTML PDF

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