The Protecting Legally-Present Youngsters Limited Educational Resources Act establishes that students who are not U.S. citizens or legal immigrants must pay tuition to attend public schools in New Jersey. The bill introduces provisions requiring school boards to verify a child's citizenship or legal immigration status before enrollment. If a child cannot provide the necessary documentation, they may still be admitted but must pay an annual tuition fee set between $1,000 and the actual cost per pupil. Additionally, school boards are mandated to report the number of tuition-paying students and the total tuition collected each year.

This legislation emphasizes state authority over education and challenges the Plyler v. Doe decision, which allows illegal alien children access to free public education. The sponsors argue that this decision imposes financial burdens on New Jersey taxpayers and undermines state control. By redirecting public funds to benefit U.S. citizens and legal residents, the bill aims to alleviate the costs associated with educating illegal alien children, thereby prioritizing resources for those legally present in the state.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:7E-3, 18A:38-1.3