This bill amends New Jersey laws to officially designate accounting as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subject, thereby broadening the scope of programs aimed at increasing the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students in these fields. The legislation includes the insertion of language that explicitly incorporates accounting into various sections of the law, particularly in programs established by the Secretary of Higher Education and outreach initiatives by the Department of Education. The bill emphasizes the need to address the underrepresentation of women and minority groups in STEM fields, including accounting, and aims to create more opportunities for these populations in higher education and the workforce.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Education and the Secretary of Higher Education in developing programs to support underrepresented students, such as outreach initiatives, mentoring programs, and grant opportunities for teachers to enhance STEM education. It establishes a framework for enhancing STEM education and workforce development, including a pre-college summer program for underrepresented students focused on STEM disciplines, including accounting. The bill also amends existing loan redemption and tuition reimbursement programs for teachers and graduates in STEM fields, expanding the definition of eligible occupations to include accounting and prioritizing support for teachers in low-performing schools. Overall, the legislation aims to modernize the perception of the accounting profession and ensure that it is recognized as integral to New Jersey's economic growth and innovation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:3B-98, 18A:3B-99, 18A:3B-100, 18A:6-137, 18A:6-138, 18A:64O-2, 18A:71B-105, 18A:71B-106, 18A:71C-67, 18A:71C-75, 18A:71C-77, 18A:71C-78, 18A:71C-79, 34:15D-32