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New JerseyS3910220th Legislature (2024-2025)SenateWALLET

Makes various changes to provision of preschool aid and facilities requirements; establishes Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee; requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts.*

Sponsored By: Andrea Katz (Democratic), M. Teresa Ruiz (Democratic), Sterley S. Stanley (Democratic), Shirley K. Turner (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Full-day kindergarten and more entry options

Effective July 9, 2025, every New Jersey district must provide full-day kindergarten by the start of the 2029-2030 school year. Districts without full-day kindergarten before July 9, 2025, can arrange attendance in an adjacent district, with tuition set under state law. Also beginning July 9, 2025, school boards can admit children who turn five after October 1 of the school year. Those children must meet board-approved entrance requirements, and admission remains the board’s choice.

Preschool programs must meet quality rules

Districts receiving preschool aid must show efforts to partner with ready, willing, and able child care and Head Start programs. They must seek partners in their own and neighboring communities. Annual plans must cover curriculum, access to community services, outreach, and recruiting at-risk and hard-to-reach families for priority placement. Districts must assess and improve program quality, with a State review visit at least every three years. The Education Department can require improvement plans with deadlines.

School building aid uses space allowances

Beginning July 9, 2025, school building aid uses minimum space allowances when projected enrollment within five years exceeds available capacity. Per full-time-equivalent student, the minimums are 125 square feet for kindergarten–grade 5, 134 for grades 6–8, and 151 for grades 9–12. Special education students are grouped by age. Approved replacement-school projects count current students in the building being replaced when the project serves them and students lacking space. State officials must establish a process to consider adjustments for special circumstances.

State funding helps districts expand preschool

A three-year pilot covers districts first receiving preschool aid in 2025-2026, 2026-2027, or 2027-2028, subject to available funding. Pilot aid equals the formula amount times the greater of the district’s statutory aid percentage or 40%. Separately, the Education Department must offer at least one preschool expansion grant opportunity each year, within appropriated funds. Applicants must already offer full-day kindergarten, assess community need and provider partnerships, and plan to serve 90% of local three- and four-year-olds within five years. When other application criteria are equal, districts with more at-risk pupils get preference.

Preschool costs can raise local taxes

Pilot districts first receiving preschool aid in 2025-2026, 2026-2027, or 2027-2028 can increase their allowed property tax levy growth. The adjustment equals the actual increase in preschool costs minus State aid, helping cover local preschool costs. Districts first receiving aid in 2025-2026 can recertify their tax amount before bills are delivered. That change must equal the district’s local share of preschool costs. The added funding supports preschool but can raise local property taxes; no household tax increase is specified.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Andrea Katz

    Democratic • House

  • M. Teresa Ruiz

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sterley S. Stanley

    Democratic • House

  • Shirley K. Turner

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Renee C. Burgess

    Democratic • Senate

  • Margie Donlon M.D.

    Democratic • House

  • Shama A. Haider

    Democratic • House

  • Angela V. McKnight

    Democratic • Senate

  • Carmen Theresa Morales

    Democratic • House

  • Luanne M. Peterpaul Esq.

    Democratic • House

  • Annette Quijano

    Democratic • House

  • Ramirez, Jessica

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 81 • No: 35

Senate vote • 6/30/2025

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 28 • No: 10

House vote • 6/30/2025

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 53 • No: 25 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor — P.L.2025, c.100.

    7/9/2025Governor

  2. Passed Assembly, PBH — (53-25-2)

    6/30/2025House

  3. Substituted for A5717 (2R)

    6/30/2025House

  4. Received in Assembly, Without Reference, 2nd Reading in Assembly

    6/30/2025House

  5. Passed Senate — (28-10)

    6/30/2025Senate

  6. REP/SCA, 2nd Reading in Senate

    6/26/2025Senate

  7. Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee

    5/12/2025Senate

  8. REP/SCS, 2nd Reading in Senate

    5/12/2025Senate

  9. Introduced, 1st Reading in Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee

    11/18/2024Senate

Bill Text

  • Version PL2025

    8/21/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Version AL2025

    8/12/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • 7/3/25; 1R SCS

    7/3/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Budget and Appropriations (6/26/25 SCS 1R)

    7/1/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Budget and Appropriations Substitute (6/26/25 SCS)

    6/27/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Education (5/12/25 SCS)

    6/27/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • As Introduced

    5/13/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Education Substitute (5/12/25)

    5/13/2025

    HTMLPDF

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