# New Jersey S1253: Establishes pilot program in DOE to use therapy dogs in public elementary school wellness programs.

New Jersey S1253, Establishes pilot program in DOE to use therapy dogs in public elementary school wellness programs., is a 220th Legislature (2024-2025) Senate bill sponsored by James Beach (Democratic), Anthony M. Bucco (Republican); status failed, last action 2025-11-24 (Reported, Referred to Assembly Education Committee) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NJ-S1253-2024-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: New Jersey S1253
- State: New Jersey
- Session: 220th Legislature (2024-2025)
- Title: Establishes pilot program in DOE to use therapy dogs in public elementary school wellness programs.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2024-01-09
- Last action: 2025-11-24, Reported, Referred to Assembly Education Committee
- Sponsors: James Beach (Democratic), Anthony M. Bucco (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 4
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 1 (37 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: James Beach (Democratic), Senate
- Sponsor: Anthony M. Bucco (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Patrick J. Diegnan Jr. (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Owen Henry (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Angela V. McKnight (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Douglas J. Steinhardt (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-01-30 | Senate | 3RDG FINAL PASSAGE | pass | 37 | 0 |   |

## Actions (6)

- 2025-11-24: Reported, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (House)
- 2025-11-24: TRANS Assembly Health Committee (House)
- 2025-01-30: Received in Assembly, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee (House)
- 2025-01-30: Passed Senate — (37-0) (Senate)
- 2024-02-15: Reported, 2nd Reading in Senate (Senate)
- 2024-01-09: Introduced, 1st Reading in Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (Senate)

## Bill text

- Assembly Health Substitute (11/24/25), 2025-11-25: [HTML](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S1500/1253_S2.HTM), [PDF](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S1500/1253_S2.PDF)
- Senate Education (2/15/24 TR), 2025-01-31: [HTML](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S1500/1253_T1.HTM), [PDF](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S1500/1253_T1.PDF)
- Senate Education Substitute (2/15/24), 2024-02-16: [HTML](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S1500/1253_S1.HTM), [PDF](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S1500/1253_S1.PDF)
- As Introduced, 2024-02-14: [HTML](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S1500/1253_I1.HTM), [PDF](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S1500/1253_I1.PDF)

## Related bills

- S4928: Requires payment of prevailing wage for certain data center construction. (signed)
- S4925: Expands provisions of P.L.2022, c.9 under certain circumstances. (signed)
- S4847: Makes various changes to membership on Cannabis Regulatory Commission and to legalized medical and personal use cannabis marketplace. (signed)
- S4858: Establishes "New Jersey Veterans and Military Spouses Asset Protection Act." (signed)
- S4678: Includes retired teachers and county college faculty members in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teacher grant program.* (signed)
- S4812: Requires DCA to resume Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation program with remaining funds for unmet recovery and rebuilding needs for Supers… (signed)

## Sources
- [Assembly Health Substitute (11/24/25) (HTML)](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S1500/1253_S2.HTM)
- [Assembly Health Substitute (11/24/25) (PDF)](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S1500/1253_S2.PDF)
- [Senate Education (2/15/24 TR) (HTML)](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S1500/1253_T1.HTM)
- [Senate Education (2/15/24 TR) (PDF)](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S1500/1253_T1.PDF)
- [Senate Education Substitute (2/15/24) (HTML)](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S1500/1253_S1.HTM)
- [Senate Education Substitute (2/15/24) (PDF)](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S1500/1253_S1.PDF)
- [As Introduced (HTML)](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S1500/1253_I1.HTM)
- [As Introduced (PDF)](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S1500/1253_I1.PDF)

## Related
- [S4928: Requires payment of prevailing wage for certain data center construction.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NJ-S4928-2024-2025)
- [S4925: Expands provisions of P.L.2022, c.9 under certain circumstances.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NJ-S4925-2024-2025)
- [S4847: Makes various changes to membership on Cannabis Regulatory Commission and to le…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NJ-S4847-2024-2025)
- [S4858: Establishes "New Jersey Veterans and Military Spouses Asset Protection Act."](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NJ-S4858-2024-2025)
- [S4678: Includes retired teachers and county college faculty members in science, techno…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NJ-S4678-2024-2025)
- [S4812: Requires DCA to resume Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NJ-S4812-2024-2025)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NJ-S1253-2024-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).