This bill amends existing legislation to allow school districts in New Jersey to utilize unexpended State aid from specific nonpublic school programs to support other nonpublic school programs, rather than being required to refund the unspent funds. The bill specifically addresses unexpended State aid related to nonpublic nursing services, nonpublic textbook aid, nonpublic security aid, and the Nonpublic Technology Initiative. If a district's expenditures are less than the amount of State aid received, the district may apply the unspent funds to other eligible programs, with the stipulation that any remaining unexpended aid must still be refunded by December 1 of the following school year.

Additionally, the bill modifies the language in several sections of current law to reflect these changes, including the removal of certain references to the previous act and the insertion of new provisions that clarify the use of unexpended State aid. The intent of the bill is to provide greater flexibility for school districts in managing their State aid and to ensure that funds are effectively utilized to support nonpublic school services. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:40-31, 18A:58-37.7, 18A:58-37.12