This bill establishes a guaranteed admissions program for public school students in New Jersey, allowing eligible grade 12 students to receive conditional admission to public institutions of higher education based on academic merit. The Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with the Department of Education and the New Jersey Presidents Council, is tasked with creating this program. To qualify, students must be residents of New Jersey for at least one year prior to application and be first-time applicants to a full-time degree program. The Secretary will determine minimum academic merit requirements, considering factors such as GPA, class rank, coursework complexity, standardized test scores, and statewide assessment performance. The bill also allows for different requirements based on the selectivity of each institution, while clarifying that admission does not guarantee entry into specific majors or programs.

Additionally, the bill mandates the Secretary of Higher Education to submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature detailing the program's implementation. This report will include data on the number of students admitted, categorized by various demographics, as well as an evaluation of the program's effectiveness in addressing issues like the out-migration of public high school graduates and enrollment among underserved populations. Recommendations for program improvements will also be included in the report. The act is set to take effect immediately, with the first admissions offered in the following academic year.