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Bill

Bill

AJR 20

Designates May of each year as "Home-Schooling Month" in New Jersey.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Bob Auth and 2 co-sponsors

Designates May as Home-Schooling Month in NJ and urges an annual Governor’s proclamation, with no new laws, funding, or mandates.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee
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Bill Summary · AJR 20

Summary of AJR 20 (Session 222) – New Jersey

What the bill does

  • AJR 20 designates the month of May each year as “Home-Schooling Month” in New Jersey.
  • The bill requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials, private organizations, and all residents to observe Home-Schooling Month.
  • It takes effect immediately upon enactment (no delayed implementation).

Purpose and intent

  • The resolution aims to recognize the efforts of parents who choose to home-school their children.
  • It seeks to promote the educational, emotional, and family benefits associated with home-schooling.
  • It highlights home-schooling as a flexible educational option that can reflect family values, including religious or spiritual beliefs, while fostering strong family relationships.

Key provisions

  • Designation: May is designated as “Home-Schooling Month” in New Jersey.
  • Proclamation: The Governor is urged to annually proclaim May as Home-Schooling Month and call upon officials, organizations, and residents to observe it.
  • Scope: The resolution is a symbolic designation and does not impose new mandates, regulations, or funding.

Who/what is affected

  • Students who are home-schooled (as part of the broader discussion of home-schooling) and their families in New Jersey.
  • State and local public officials, private organizations, and residents who may participate in or observe the designated month.
  • No changes to existing laws or school reporting requirements are specified.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: The bill was introduced on January 13, 2026 and referred to the Assembly Education Committee.
  • Status: As of the provided text, it is a joint resolution awaiting Committee consideration and potential floor action.
  • Effective date: Immediate upon enactment (no future delay).

Notable context from the bill text

  • The accompanying statement underscores perceived benefits of home-schooling, including individualized pace, curriculum flexibility, reduced exposure to peer pressure or bullying, the ability to integrate religious beliefs, and strengthened family ties.
  • The bill cites a federal estimate that approximately 1.8 million students were homeschooled in the 2011-2012 school year to contextualize the growing trend.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Symbolic recognition may raise public awareness of home-schooling as an option.
  • Could influence public perception and discourse around parental choice in education.
  • The resolution does not authorize funding or create regulatory changes; it is primarily ceremonial and aspirational in nature.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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