Requires instruction on cybersecurity in grades nine through 12; requires Office of Secretary of Higher Education to develop cybersecurity model curricula; establishes loan redemption programs for individuals in certain cybersecurity occupations.

S3880

SENATE, No. 3880

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MARCH 12, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� LINDA R. GREENSTEIN

District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

SYNOPSIS

���� Requires instruction on cybersecurity in grades nine
through 12; requires Office of Secretary of Higher Education to develop
cybersecurity model curricula; establishes loan redemption programs for
individuals in certain cybersecurity occupations.�

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Act
concerning cybersecurity curricula, degree programs,
and loan redemption programs, and supplementing Title 18A of the New Jersey
Statutes.

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

���� 1.� As used in sections 2 and
3 of P.L.��� , c.��� (C.������� ) (pending before the Legislature as this
bill), �cybersecurity� means the practice of defending computers, servers,
mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from criminal or
unauthorized use or attacks.

���� 2.��� A school district shall
incorporate instruction
on cybersecurity in an
appropriate place in the curriculum of students in each of the grades nine through
12 as part of the district�s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning
Standards in Computer Science and Design Thinking.� The instruction shall be
based on the curriculum guidelines established by the Commissioner of Education
pursuant to section 3 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending
before the Legislature as this bill).
The instruction shall be included in
the curriculum for each grade in a manner adapted to the age and understanding
of the students and shall provide a thorough and comprehensive treatment of the
subject.

���� 3.��� a.� The Commissioner of
Education, in consultation with the Office of Homeland Security and
Preparedness and the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration
Cell, shall develop curriculum guidelines to assist school districts in
implementing the instruction on cybersecurity required pursuant to section 2 of
P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending
before the Legislature as this bill). The guidelines shall
provide for a sequential course of study for each of the
grades nine through 12
, and shall include, but need not be limited to, the
following:

���� (1)�� an introduction to the
field of cybersecurity and definitions of terms frequently used in the field of
cybersecurity;

���� (2)�� information concerning
the proper and safe use of the Internet as well as strategies to detect
solicitations of private or personal information from bad actors and how to
protect private or personal information;

���� (3)�� an overview of the
fundamentals of computer hardware and software as well as information on
various computer operating systems;

���� (4)�� a summary of the basic
and advanced skills needed to be successful in the field of cybersecurity,
including computer networking and coding;

���� (5)�� examples of research
projects and other applied activities relating to cybersecurity that school
districts may offer to students; and

���� (6)�� information concerning
post-secondary opportunities in the field of cybersecurity as well as other
career pathways a student may pursue in the field of cybersecurity.

���� The guidelines shall include
model instructional units, define learning objectives, and recommend
instructional materials suitable for each of the grades nine through 12.�

���� b.��� The guidelines developed
pursuant to this section shall be reviewed annually and shall be updated as
appropriate to ensure that the guidelines and the instruction on cybersecurity
required pursuant to section 2 of P.L.��� , c.��� (C.������� ) (pending before
the Legislature as this bill) reflects the most current information available
on the field of cybersecurity.�

���� 4.� a.� No later than one year
following the date of enactment of P.L.��� , c.��� (C.������� ) (pending before
the Legislature as this bill),
the Office of the
Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with the Department of Labor and
Workforce Development, the Economic Development Authority, the Office of
Homeland Security and Preparedness, and the New Jersey Presidents� Council,
shall develop a cybersecurity model curriculum for use by four-year
institutions of higher education in the State and a cybersecurity model
curriculum for use by county colleges in the State.� The model curricula
developed pursuant to this subsection shall be made available to assist
four-year institutions of higher education and county colleges that intend to
develop cybersecurity-related degree programs.�

���� b.��� The cybersecurity model
curricula developed pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall account for
academic quality and� other applicable standards required for accreditation of
cybersecurity-related degree programs.� The model curricula shall, at a
minimum:

���� (1)�� provide a comprehensive
sequence of courses that will ensure adequate preparation for further
postsecondary education or a career in the field of cybersecurity;

���� (2)�� include a list of
courses that would be suitable for cybersecurity-related degree programs;�

���� (3)�� detail any requirements,
other than coursework, that may be part of cybersecurity-related degree
programs; and

���� (4)�� detail overall expected
student outcomes for cybersecurity-related degree programs as well as expected
student outcomes for individual cybersecurity courses.

���� c.���� As part of the
development of the cybersecurity model curricula required pursuant to
subsection a. of this section,
the Department of Labor
and Workforce Development and the Economic Development Authority, in
consultation with the New Jersey Presidents� Council, shall develop and
distribute to institutions of higher education cybersecurity career pathway
marketing materials that provide descriptions of cybersecurity careers and the
benefits of pursuing such careers.

���� d.��� As used in this section,
�cybersecurity� means the practice of defending computers, servers, mobile
devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from criminal or unauthorized
use or attacks.

���� 5.��� As
used in sections 6 through 9 of P.L.��� , c.��� (C.������� ) (pending before
the Legislature as this bill):

���� �Approved cybersecurity degree
program� means an undergraduate or advanced degree program, approved by the
Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, for persons engaged in a cybersecurity
occupation approved by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
pursuant to subsection a. of section 6 of
P.L. , c. (C. )(pending
before the Legislature as this bill). �

���� �Authority� means the Higher
Education Student Assistance Authority.

���� �Cybersecurity� means the
practice of defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems,
networks, and data from criminal or unauthorized use or attacks.

���� "Eligible qualifying loan
expenses" means the cumulative outstanding balance of qualifying student
loans, including interest paid or due, covering the cost of attendance at an
institution of higher education for an undergraduate or advanced degree from an
approved cybersecurity degree program.

���� "Executive director"
means the executive director of the Higher Education Student Assistance
Authority.

���� "Program" means the Cybersecurity
Loan Redemption Program established pursuant to section 6 of P.L.��� , c.���
(C.������� ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). �

���� "Program
participant" means a person who contracts with the authority to engage in
a cybersecurity occupation in exchange for the redemption of eligible
qualifying loan expenses provided under the program.

���� "Qualifying student
loan" means a State or federal loan for the actual costs paid for tuition
and reasonable education and living expenses relating to obtaining a degree in
an approved cybersecurity degree program.

���� "Total and permanent
disability" means a physical or mental disability that is expected to
continue indefinitely or result in death and renders a program participant
unable to perform that person's employment obligation, as determined by the executive
director or the executive director�s designee.

���� 6.��� a.� There is established
within the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority a
Cybersecurity Loan Redemption Program. The program shall
provide $1,000 to program participants for each year of employment in a cybersecurity
occupation approved by the executive director of the authority, up to a maximum
of four years, for the redemption of a portion of eligible qualifying loan
expenses.�
The executive director shall annually post on the authority�s
Internet website a list of approved cybersecurity occupations that will qualify
for loan redemption under the program.

���� b.��� A person seeking loan
redemption under the program shall submit an application to the authority
pursuant to application guidelines and procedures established by the
authority.� To be eligible to participate in the Cybersecurity Loan Redemption
Program, an applicant shall:

���� (1)� be a resident of the
State and maintain residency during program participation;

����
(2)� be
a graduate of an approved cybersecurity degree program at an institution of
higher education located in New Jersey;

���� (3)� have an outstanding
balance on a qualifying student loan and

not be in default on any qualifying
student loan;

���� (4)� be employed in an
approved cybersecurity occupation with an employer located in the State; and

���� (5)� satisfy any additional
criteria the authority may establish.

���� 7.��� a.� The executive
director or the executive director�s designee shall select the program
participants from among those applicants who meet the eligibility criteria
established pursuant to section 6 of P.L.��� , c.��� (C.������� ) (pending
before the Legislature as this bill), subject to the availability of funds
appropriated or otherwise made available to the program.

���� b.��� A person who meets the
eligibility requirements under section 6 of P.L.��� , c.��� (C.������� )
(pending before the Legislature as this bill) and has been selected by the
executive director or the executive director�s designee for participation in
the program shall enter into a written contract with the authority. The
contract shall specify the dates of required employment by the program
participant in an approved cybersecurity occupation and shall require the
program participant to serve at least one year in an approved cybersecurity occupation.�

���� c.���� Prior to the annual
redemption of loan indebtedness, the program participant shall submit to the
authority certification of full-time employment in an approved cybersecurity
occupation for the full year period with an employer located in the State.

���� d.��� A program participant,
as a condition of participation, shall be required to adhere to performance
standards established by the executive director or the executive director�s
designee.

���� e.���� A program participant
shall be eligible for participation in the program for no more than four years.

���� 8.��� a.� A program
participant who has previously entered into a contract with the authority may
nullify the agreement by notifying the authority in writing and reassuming full
responsibility for the remaining outstanding balance of the loan debt. In no
event shall employment for less than the full calendar year entitle the program
participant to any benefits under the program.

���� b.��� In the case of a program
participant's death or total and permanent disability, the authority shall
nullify the employment obligation of the program participant. The nullification
shall terminate the authority's obligations under the loan redemption contract.
When continued enforcement of the contract may result in extreme hardship, the
authority may nullify or suspend the employment obligation of the program
participant.

���� c.���� In the case of a
program participant's conviction of a crime or an act of gross negligence in
the performance of employment obligations, or a program participant�s breach of
the standards established pursuant to subsection d. of section 7 of
P.L. , c. (C. )(pending
before the Legislature as this bill) act, the executive director or the
executive director�s designee is authorized to terminate the program
participant's participation in the program.

���� 9.��� A person who knowingly
or willfully furnishes any false or misleading information for the purpose of
receiving loan redemption benefits under the program is guilty of a crime of
the fourth degree.

���� 10.� As used in sections 11
through 14 of
P.L. , c. (C. )(pending
before the Legislature as this bill):

���� �Authority� means the Higher
Education Student Assistance Authority.

���� �Cybersecurity� means the
practice of defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems,
networks, and data from criminal or unauthorized use or attacks.

���� "Eligible qualifying loan
expenses" means the cumulative outstanding balance of qualifying student
loans, including interest paid or due, covering the cost of attendance at an
institution of higher education for an undergraduate or advanced degree from an
approved cybersecurity degree program.

���� "Executive director"
means the executive director of the Higher Education Student Assistance
Authority.

���� "Program" means the
Cybersecurity Teacher Loan Redemption Program established pursuant to section 11
of P.L.��� , c.��� (C.������� ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). �

���� "Program
participant" means a person who contracts with the authority to engage in service
as a teacher in a cybersecurity-related subject matter in exchange for the
redemption of eligible qualifying loan expenses provided under the program.

���� "Qualifying student
loan" means a State or federal loan for the actual costs paid for tuition
and reasonable education and living expenses relating to obtaining a degree in
an approved cybersecurity degree program.

���� "Total and permanent
disability" means a physical or mental disability that is expected to
continue indefinitely or result in death and renders a program participant
unable to perform that person's employment obligation, as determined by the executive
director or the executive director�s designee.

���� 11.� a.� There is established
within the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority a Cybersecurity
Teacher Loan Redemption Program. The program shall provide $1,000 to program
participants for each year of service as a teacher in a cybersecurity-related
subject matter, as determined by the executive director of the authority, up to
a maximum of four years, for the redemption of a portion of eligible qualifying
loan expenses.� The executive director shall annually post on the authority�s
Internet website a list of approved cybersecurity-related subject matters that
will qualify for loan redemption under the program.

���� b.��� A person seeking loan
redemption under the program shall submit an application to the authority
pursuant to application guidelines and procedures established by the
authority.� To be eligible to participate in the Cybersecurity Teacher Loan
Redemption Program, an applicant shall:

���� (1)� be a resident of the
State and maintain residency during program participation;

���� (2)� be a teacher of an
approved cybersecurity-related subject matter, who is employed by a school
district, charter school, or renaissance school project in the State;

���� (3)� have an outstanding
balance on a qualifying student loan and

not be in default on any qualifying
student loan; and

���� (4)� satisfy any additional
criteria the authority may establish.

���� 12.� a. The executive director
or the executive director�s designee shall select the program participants from
among those applicants who meet the eligibility criteria established pursuant
to section 11 of P.L.��� , c.��� (C.������� ) (pending before the Legislature
as this bill), subject to the availability of funds appropriated or otherwise
made available to the program.

���� b.��� A person who meets the
eligibility requirements under section 11 of P.L.��� , c.��� (C.������� )
(pending before the Legislature as this bill) and has been selected by the
executive director or the executive director�s designee for participation in
the program shall enter into a written contract with the authority. The
contract shall specify the dates of required service by the program participant
as a teacher in an approved cybersecurity-related subject matter and shall
require the program participant to serve at least one year as a teacher in an
approved cybersecurity-related subject matter.�

���� c.���� Prior to the annual
redemption of loan indebtedness, the program participant shall submit to the
authority certification of employment in a school district, charter school, or
renaissance school as a teacher of an approved cybersecurity-related subject
matter for the full school year period.

���� d.��� A program participant,
as a condition of participation, shall be required to adhere to performance
standards established by the executive director or the executive director�s
designee.

���� e.���� A program participant
shall be eligible for participation in the program for no more than four years.

���� 13.� a.� A program participant
who has previously entered into a contract with the authority may nullify the
agreement by notifying the authority in writing and reassuming full
responsibility for the remaining outstanding balance of the loan debt. In no
event shall employment for less than the full school year entitle the program
participant to any benefits under the program.

���� b.��� In the case of a program
participant's death or total and permanent disability, the authority shall
nullify the employment obligation of the program participant. The nullification
shall terminate the authority's obligations under the loan redemption contract.
When continued enforcement of the contract may result in extreme hardship, the
authority may nullify or suspend the employment obligation of the program
participant.

���� c.���� In the case of a
program participant's conviction of a crime or an act of gross negligence in
the performance of employment obligations, or a program participant�s breach of
the standards established pursuant to subsection d. of section 12 of
P.L. , c. (C. )
(pending before the Legislature as this bill), the executive director or the
executive director�s designee is authorized to terminate the program
participant's participation in the program.

���� 14.� A person who knowingly or
willfully furnishes any false or misleading information for the purpose of
receiving loan redemption benefits under the program is guilty of a crime of
the fourth degree.

���� 15.� The State Board of
Education shall promulgate rules and regulations pursuant to the
"Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.),
necessary to effectuate the provisions of sections 1 through 3 of P.L.��� ,
c.��� (C.������� ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).� The Higher
Education Student Assistance Authority shall promulgate rules and regulations
pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410
(C.52:14B-1 et seq.), necessary to implement the provisions of sections 5
through 9 of P.L.��� , c.��� (C.������� ) (pending before the Legislature as
this bill).� The authority, in consultation with the Department of Education,
shall promulgate rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative
Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), necessary to
implement the provisions of sections 10 through 14 of P.L.��� , c.���
(C.������� ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).�

���� 16.� This act shall take
effect immediately and sections 1 through 3 shall first apply in the first full
school year following the date of enactment.�

STATEMENT

���� This bill requires school
districts to incorporate instruction on cybersecurity in an appropriate place
in the curriculum of students in each of the grades nine through 12.� The
instruction will be based on curriculum guidelines established under the bill by
the Commissioner of Education in consultation with the Office of Homeland
Security and Preparedness and the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications
Integration Cell.� The curriculum guidelines would provide for a sequential
course of study for each of the grades nine through 12 and include various
introductory concepts and activities related to cybersecurity.

���� Under the bill, the Office of
the Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with the Department of Labor
and Workforce Development, the Economic Development Authority, the Office of
Homeland Security and Preparedness, and the New Jersey Presidents� Council, would
develop a cybersecurity model curriculum for use by four-year institutions of
higher education in the State and a cybersecurity model curriculum for use by
county colleges in the State.� The model curricula developed pursuant would assist
four-year institutions of higher education and county colleges in developing
cybersecurity-related degree programs.� The Department of Labor and Workforce
Development and the Economic Development Authority, in consultation with the
New Jersey Presidents� Council, are required to develop and distribute to
institutions of higher education cybersecurity career pathway marketing
materials that provide descriptions of cybersecurity careers and the benefits
of pursuing such careers.

���� The bill also creates two
student loan redemption programs for individuals seeking careers in
cybersecurity-related roles.� The Cybersecurity Loan Redemption Program would provide
$1,000 to program participants for each year of employment in a cybersecurity
occupation approved by the Executive Director of the Higher Education Student
Assistance Authority, up to a maximum of four years, for the redemption of a
portion of eligible qualifying loan expenses.� Among other requirements
enumerated in the bill, a program participant is required to be graduate of an
approved cybersecurity degree program at an institution of higher education
located in New Jersey and be employed in an approved cybersecurity occupation
with an employer located in the State.

���� The second loan redemption
program, the Cybersecurity Teacher Loan Redemption Program, would similarly provide
$1,000 to program participants for each year of service as a teacher in a cybersecurity-related
subject matter, as determined by the Executive Director of the Higher Education
Student Assistance Authority, up to a maximum of four years, for the redemption
of a portion of eligible qualifying loan expenses. Among other requirements
enumerated in the bill, a program participant is required to be a teacher of an
approved cybersecurity-related subject matter, who is employed by a school
district, charter school, or renaissance school project in the State.