This bill amends existing laws regarding the education and transportation of homeless students in New Jersey. It stipulates that when a homeless child attends school in their district of residence while temporarily living in another district, the district of residence must provide transportation to and from school. However, the bill introduces a provision that requires the State to cover any transportation costs that exceed the average per pupil cost for transportation services in the district of residence. Additionally, the bill maintains the current law allowing students who become homeless due to acts of terrorism or natural disasters to remain enrolled in their original school district for up to two years, provided their parent or guardian remains homeless. In this case, the original district must also provide transportation, with the State covering any costs that exceed the average per pupil transportation cost in that district.

Overall, the bill aims to alleviate the financial burden on school districts by ensuring that the State shares the costs associated with transporting homeless students, thereby promoting educational stability for these vulnerable populations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:7B-12.1, 18A:7B-12.3