Permits one-time use of virtual or remote instruction for students attending public school used as polling place on certain election day.

S3780

SENATE, No. 3780

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MARCH 5, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� VIN GOPAL

District 11 (Monmouth)

Senator� KRISTIN M. CORRADO

District 40 (Bergen, Essex and Passaic)

SYNOPSIS

���� Permits one-time use of virtual or remote instruction
for students attending public school used as polling place on certain election
day.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Act
concerning the use of virtual or remote instruction
during certain elections.�

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

���� 1.��� a.� Notwithstanding the
provisions of any other law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, a school
district may provide virtual or remote instruction to students who attend a
public school that is used as a polling place for the special election to be
held on April 16, 2026, to fill the vacancy in the United States House of
Representatives in the 11th Congressional District.� The program of virtual or
remote instruction permitted pursuant to this subsection shall only be provided
on the day of the special election.� A school district shall ensure that all
students have access to a computer or to sufficient broadband, or to any other
technology required prior to permitting the public school to offer virtual or
remote instruction to students pursuant to this subsection.� The program of
virtual or remote instruction provided by a school district pursuant to this
subsection shall be consistent with the program of virtual or remote
instruction submitted to the Commissioner of Education pursuant to subsection
b. of section 9 of P.L.1996, c.138 (C.18A:7F-9).� The superintendent of schools
shall have the authority to implement the school district's program of virtual
or remote instruction and consult with the board of education prior to the decision
to institute the program of virtual or remote instruction if practicable.� The
superintendent shall ensure that students, parents, staff, and the board of
education are informed promptly of the superintendent's decision.�

���� b.� A school district that is
permitted to provide virtual or remote instruction to students pursuant to
subsection a. of this section shall not be required to offer a combination of
in-person and virtual or remote instruction on the day of the special
election.�

���� c.� Notwithstanding the
provisions of section 9 of P.L.1996, c.138 (C.18A:7F-9) or any other law, rule,
or regulation to the contrary, the Commissioner of Education shall allow a school
district that provides virtual or remote instruction pursuant to subsection a.
of this section to apply the day of virtual or remote instruction to the
180-day requirement established pursuant to subsection a. of section 9 of
P.L.1996, c.138 (C.18A:7F-9).� A day of virtual or remote instruction, if
instituted pursuant to this section, shall be considered the equivalent of a
full day of school attendance for the purposes of meeting State and local
graduation requirements, the awarding of course credit, and such other matters
as determined by the commissioner.

���� 2. �This act shall take effect
immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This bill permits the one-time
use of virtual or remote instruction for students who attend a public school
that is used as a polling place on the day of the special election to be held
on April 16, 2026, to fill the vacancy in the United States House of
Representatives in the 11th Congressional District.�

���� Pursuant to current law, a public
school is required to be in session for at least 180 days in order for the
school district to receive State school aid.� A district is only permitted to apply
a day of virtual or remote instruction to the 180-day requirement when the
schools of the district are required to close for more than three consecutive
school days due to a declared state of emergency, declared public health
emergency, or a directive by the appropriate health agency or officer to
institute a public health-related closure.� A program of virtual or remote
instruction is required to be annually approved by the Commissioner of Education
and meet certain criteria.

���� This bill provides a temporary
and limited exception to current law concerning the use of virtual or remote
instruction by a school district.� Under the bill, a school district is
permitted to implement a program of virtual or remote instruction only for
students who attend a public school that is used as a polling place on the day
of the special election to be held on April 16, 2026.� The day of virtual or
remote instruction permitted under the bill would count towards the 180-day
requirement.� The program of virtual or remote instruction would be consistent
with the program that is required under current law to be annually approved by
the Commissioner of Education.� �