ASSEMBLY, No. 1742

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED MARCH 25, 1996

 

 

By Assemblyman GARCIA

 

 

An Act concerning the costs of graduation and supplementing P.L.1979, c.241 (C.18A:7C-1 et seq.).

 

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

    1. A board of education shall not exclude from a graduation ceremony or from receipt of the school yearbook any graduating pupil whose parent, legal guardian or other person having legal custody of the pupil is unable to pay the fees required for that graduation ceremony or yearbook because of financial hardship. In determining financial hardship, the criteria shall be the same as the Statewide eligibility standards established by the State Board of Education for free and reduced price meals under the State school lunch program.

 

  2. This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This bill provides that a board of education may not exclude from a graduation ceremony or from receipt of the school yearbook any graduating pupil whose parent, legal guardian or other person having legal custody of the pupil is unable to pay the fees required for that graduation ceremony or yearbook because of financial hardship. In determining financial hardship, the criteria are the same as the Statewide eligibility standards established by the State Board of Education for free and reduced price meals under the State school lunch program.

    Some school districts have imposed a graduation fee in excess of $200 which includes charges for such items as the rental of a cap and gown.

 

                             

 

Prohibits school board from excluding certain pupils from graduation ceremony or receipt of yearbook.