WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 4544

Designates Pinkster day as a day of commemoration

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brian Cunningham

Expands NJ child care subsidies to full‑time graduate and post‑graduate students meeting income, asset, and residency rules, contingent on funds and federal waivers.

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 4544

Bill summary — A-4544 (P.L.2025, c.148)

Title: Expands eligibility for New Jersey’s child care assistance program to include full‑time graduate and post‑graduate students.

Status: Enacted — approved P.L.2025, c.148 (10/01/2025). (Introduced 6/13/2024.)

Purpose / intent

To broaden access to the State’s child care subsidy program so that parents enrolled full‑time in graduate or post‑graduate degree programs can qualify for child care assistance—provided they meet the program’s existing income, asset, and residency criteria. The change aims to support graduate students raising children who need subsidized child care while pursuing advanced education.

Key provisions

  • Requires the Division of Family Development (Department of Human Services) to expand the program’s work/school/training eligibility rules to include applicants who are full‑time graduate students or full‑time post‑graduate students and otherwise eligible.
  • Defines “full‑time graduate student” and “full‑time post‑graduate student” as persons accepted to and enrolled full‑time in graduate or post‑graduate study at an accredited public or private institution and in good standing.
  • Directs the Department of Human Services to apply for any State plan amendments or waivers necessary to secure federal financial participation under the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG).
  • Requires the Department to promulgate implementing regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act.
  • Effective immediately upon enactment.
  • Committee amendments: (a) made applicability subject to availability of appropriated funds; (b) clarified eligibility language to refer to a full‑time graduate student or a full‑time post‑graduate student and provided separate definitions for each; (c) technical edits.

Who is affected

  • Eligible low‑ and moderate‑income families headed by full‑time graduate or post‑graduate students in New Jersey who meet existing income, asset, and residency rules for the child care assistance program.
  • Division of Family Development / Department of Human Services (administration, eligibility verification, federal waiver/plan work).
  • Child care providers and programs that may receive additional subsidy enrollments.
  • State budget (potential increased expenditures).

Fiscal impact

  • Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimates an indeterminate annual increase in State expenditures due to expanded eligibility.
  • FY2025 average annual cost per child under the program: ~$11,576.
  • OLS estimates ~12,827 full‑time grad/post‑grad students with children in NJ, but it is unknown how many would meet income and other eligibility criteria.
  • Example scenario in OLS memo: if 13% (≈1,667) became eligible, each with 1.5 children needing care, State cost would be roughly $29 million. The OLS assumed the incremental cost would be borne by the State (despite CCDBG federal participation efforts).

Legislative timeline / procedural notes

  • Introduced in Assembly: 6/13/2024.
  • Passed Assembly and Senate with broad bipartisan support (Assembly and Senate votes recorded 2025).
  • Reported with committee amendments by Senate Health, Human Services & Senior Citizens Committee (12/9/2024) and later by Senate Budget & Appropriations (3/17/2025).
  • Enacted as P.L.2025, c.148 (10/01/2025).

Sponsors / related bills

  • Primary sponsor listed in records: Brian Cunningham. Reprint/lead sponsors include Assemblyman Alexander “Avi” Schnall and several Assembly and Senate co‑sponsors (see bill text).
  • Companion: S-3429 (1R). Prior-session related bill: A-7800.

This summary highlights the substantive change: graduate and post‑graduate students who otherwise qualify will now be eligible for State child care subsidies, subject to appropriations and federal funding/waiver actions.

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

Sign in to ask a question.