Prohibits public school from denying admittance to student due to tardiness or violation of dress code or school uniform policy.*

A1728 1R

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 1728

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON

District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)

Assemblyman WILLIAM W. SPEARMAN

District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywomen Collazos-Gill and Brennan

SYNOPSIS

���� Prohibits public school from denying admittance to
student due to tardiness or violation of dress code or school uniform policy.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As reported by the Assembly Education Committee on
May 7, 2026, with amendments.

��

An Act

concerning school disciplinary actions, amending P.L.1996, c.93, and
supplementing chapter
38
of Title 18A
of the New Jersey Statutes.
��

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

����
1
1.�
Section 1 of P.L.1996, c.93 (C.18A:11-7) is amended to read as follows:

���� 1.� The Legislature finds and
declares that many educators believe that school dress can significantly
influence pupil behavior and that schools that have adopted dress codes,
including dress codes which require school uniforms and which prohibit clothing
indicating membership in certain gangs, experience greater school pride and
improved behavior in and out of the classroom.� The Legislature further finds
that to assist in controlling the environment in public schools, to facilitate
and maintain an effective learning environment, and to keep the focus of the
classroom on learning,
[
school
districts
]

public schools
should be specifically authorized to implement uniform
clothing requirements for their students.
1

(cf: P.L.1996, c.93, s.1)

����
1
[
1.
]

2.
1
���� Section
2 of P.L.1996, c.93 (C.18A:11-8) is amended to read as follows:

���� 2.��� a.� A board of education

1
of
a school district or a board of trustees of a charter school or renaissance
school project
1

may adopt a dress code policy to require that students wear a school uniform if
the policy is requested by the principal, staff, and parents of an individual
school, and if the board determines that the policy will enhance the school
learning environment.� Any policy adopted which requires the wearing of a
uniform shall include a provision to assist economically disadvantaged
students. The board shall hold a public hearing prior to the adoption of the
policy and shall not implement the policy with less than three months' notice
to the parents or guardians of the students.� The specific uniform selected
shall be determined by the principal, staff, and parents of the individual
school.

���� b.��� The board of education
1
or
board of trustees
1

may provide a method whereby parents may choose not to comply with an adopted
school uniform policy.� If the board provides a method, a student shall not be
penalized academically or otherwise discriminated against
[
nor denied
admittance to school
]

if the student's parents choose not to comply with the school uniform policy.

���� c.���� A dress code policy
adopted pursuant to this section shall not preclude students who participate in
a nationally recognized youth organization which is approved by the board of
education
1
or
board of trustees
1

from wearing organization uniforms to school on days that the organization has
scheduled a meeting.

(cf: P.L.1996, c.93, s.2)

����
1
3.�
Section 3 of P.L.1996, c.93 (C.18A:11-9) is amended to read as follows:

���� 3.� A board of education
of
a school district or board of trustees of a charter school or renaissance
school project
may adopt a dress code policy to prohibit students from
wearing, while on school property, any type of clothing, apparel or accessory
which indicates that the student has membership in, or affiliation with, any
gang associated with criminal activities.� The local law enforcement agency
shall advise the board, upon its request, of gangs which are associated with
criminal activities.
1

(cf: P.L.1996, c.93, s.3)

����
1
[
2.
]

4.
1
���� (New
section)� a. A student shall not be denied admittance to school due to:

���� (1) tardiness; or

���� (2)�� a violation of a school
uniform policy or dress code policy, except as may be provided pursuant to a
dress code policy adopted pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1996, c.93 (C.18A:11-9).

���� b.��� Nothing
in this section shall be construed to restrict the ability to enforce any board
of education
1
or board of trustees
1
adopted student code of conduct or policy that is outside
the purview of this section
.

����
1
[
3.
]

5.
1
���� This
act shall take effect immediately.