Bills Expanding Free Preschool and Kindergarten Become Law – On July 9th, Governor Phil Murphy signed two bills into law to expand access to free preschool and full-day kindergarten in the state. Bill S3910 (P.L.2025, c.100.) requires all school districts to offer full-day kindergarten by 2030. It also codifies the state’s preschool funding formula, mandates annual distribution of preschool expansion grants, and creates a pilot cost-sharing program to support preschool implementation, among other provisions. Bill S4476 (P.L.2025, c.101.) extends the maximum term for preschool education service contracts to three years. Murphy said that the measures will lower childcare costs and improve educational outcomes and child wellbeing. Nearly 800,000 children ages three and four are currently enrolled in free preschool statewide.
Appeals Court Agrees to Hear New Jersey School Segregation Case – On July 8th, a state appellate court judge agreed to hear a long-running lawsuit accusing the state of failing to address racial and socioeconomic segregation in its public schools. The case, originally filed in 2018 by families and advocacy groups including the Latino Action Network and the NAACP, stalled in the trial court after unsuccessful mediation. Plaintiffs contended that the state’s residency-based school assignment system perpetuates segregation due to long-standing residential segregation and discriminatory housing policies. They argued that moving the case to an appellate court was necessary to prevent further harm to students and bring the case closer to resolution. The state opposed the move, warning that it could lead to inefficient and piecemeal litigation. A 2023 ruling acknowledged persistent racial imbalances in schools but failed to determine the current system as unconstitutional.
Governor Murphy Signs Law Ending Newspaper Mandate for Public Notices – On June 30th, Governor Phil Murphy signed Bill S4654 (P.L.2025, c.72.) into law, eliminating the longstanding requirement for public notices to be published in print newspapers. The move follows the closure of major printing papers such as the Star Ledger. Under the new law, beginning March 1, 2026, public entities are required to post legal notices, such as meeting announcements, planning board applications, and bid solicitations, on their official websites. The websites must be freely accessible and include a prominently placed hyperlink on the homepage directing users to the legal notices. Beginning January 1, 2026, public entities must also publish online advertisements that link to their legal notices webpage twice a month. Supporters contend that the law modernizes public notification practices and reduces costs. Critics, including the New Jersey Press Association, argue that it could diminish transparency and disenfranchise residents who rely on physical newspapers.
Assembly Approves Bill Penalizing Parents for Children’s Involvement in Public Brawls – On June 30th, the Assembly voted 61-15 to approve Bill A4651, which would impose penalties of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine on parents or guardians if their minor children participate in a public “brawl” or riot. Proponents of the measure maintain that the bill would deter rowdy and potentially violent large-scale public gatherings, which have become increasingly common in the state. Critics, including some Republican lawmakers and New Jersey Policy Perspective, criticized the measure as unfair to parents and ineffective in preventing such incidents.
New Law Expands No-Electioneering Zone Around Polling Places – On July 8th, Governor Phil Murphy signed Bill S3850 (P.L.2025, c.92.) into law, authorizing county election officials to extend the no-electioneering zone around polling places from 100 to 200 feet. Some county party officials argue the move is unnecessary, particularly with the increased influence of social media and smartphones and may limit freedom of speech. The law takes effect immediately and will apply to the state’s upcoming gubernatorial election on November 4th.