ASSEMBLY MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5694

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  NOVEMBER 8, 2021

      The Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5694 with amendments.

      This bill provides that a member of the armed forces of the United States, the National Guard, or any other reserve component of the armed forces who has received relocation orders and whose anticipated residence is to be within the State will be permitted to enroll a dependent child in a school district and register for courses in advance of the member’s relocation.  The school district must waive any proof of residency requirements until such time that the member’s family has been relocated within the school district.

      As amended, the bill also requires presentation of a copy of the relocation orders to the school district and provides that, once enrolled, the child will be permitted to attend classes and receive services free of charge in the same manner as if they were already a resident of the school district.

      When military-connected students know which school they will be attending and what their class schedules are in advance of arriving to school, they and their families are provided with a sense of comfort, relieving unneeded stress during their transition between locations.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill to require presentation of a copy of the relocation orders to the school district and to provide that, once enrolled, the child will be permitted to attend classes and receive services free of charge in the same manner as if they were already a resident of the school district.  Also, the amendments authorize the Commissioner of Education to promulgate regulations.