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A 4307

Enacts the "Count Every Vote Act of New York"

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pat Carroll and 8 co-sponsors

Allows districts to hire nonresident, appropriately certified teachers temporarily if no resident candidates are available, with a two-year deadline to establish New Jersey residen

REFERRED TO ELECTION LAW
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Bill Summary · A 4307

Summary — A4307 (New Jersey)

An Act concerning the residency of certain public school teachers and amending R.S.52:14‑7

Purpose

To create a limited, targeted exemption to New Jersey’s public‑employee principal residency requirement so school districts and qualifying charter schools can hire appropriately certified teachers who do not currently maintain a principal residence in New Jersey when the district cannot fill a vacant teaching position with a resident teacher. The measure also requires new hires granted under the exemption to establish New Jersey residency within two years and directs state agencies to help those hires do so.

Key provisions

  • Amends R.S.52:14‑7 (existing State residency law expanded in 2011) to add a school‑hiring exemption.
  • Eligibility for exemption:
    • A school district or a charter school not located in a “renaissance” school district may apply when it cannot hire an appropriately certified teacher who complies with the residency requirement.
    • Applicant must certify the vacant position was advertised for at least six months, document good‑faith recruitment efforts to hire a resident teacher, and provide documentation that the candidate is appropriately certified in New Jersey.
    • Committee amendments explicitly include charter schools not in renaissance districts; charter schools in renaissance districts remain subject to N.J.S.A.18A:36C‑18.
  • Five‑member exemption committee:
    • Appointments: three by the Governor, one by the Assembly Speaker, one by the Senate President.
    • Decision by majority vote; if the committee fails to act within 30 days of receipt, no exemption is granted.
  • Terms for hires under exemption:
    • The hired person is not required to request the exemption themself.
    • Must establish principal residence in New Jersey within two years of initial employment.
    • Failure to establish residency: the district/charter school must terminate employment, re‑advertise the vacancy, and attempt to hire an appropriately certified New Jersey resident.
  • Support program:
    • Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Community Affairs, must develop and implement a program to assist teachers hired under this exemption to establish New Jersey residency within two years.

Who is affected

  • Public school districts and eligible charter schools that face difficulty filling certified teaching vacancies with New Jersey resident teachers.
  • Non‑resident, appropriately certified teachers hired under this exemption (subject to the two‑year residency requirement).
  • State agencies (DOE, DCA) and the newly constituted exemption committee (administration and oversight responsibilities).

Procedure and timelines

  • Vacancy must have been advertised for at least six months before district may seek exemption.
  • The committee must act within 30 days of an application, else the exemption is denied by default.
  • Hired teacher has a two‑year window from initial employment to establish New Jersey residency; failure triggers termination and re‑advertisement.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Intended to increase ability of districts to fill hard‑to‑staff positions (particularly near state borders or in specialized subject areas).
  • Creates administrative responsibilities for districts (documentation, advertising, monitoring residency) and for the exemption committee and state agencies (application review; developing/supporting residency assistance program).
  • Balances labor needs with the State’s residency policy by imposing a firm two‑year residency requirement and oversight.

Legislative status & sponsors

  • Introduced: May 10, 2024 (Assembly); Referred to Assembly Education Committee.
  • Reported out with committee amendments: June 6, 2024 (1R).
  • Subsequently referred to Election Law: Feb 4, 2025.
  • Primary sponsor: Asm. Jeffrey Dinowitz. Co‑sponsors include Patrick J. Carroll, Dana Levenberg, Aron Wieder, Tommy Schiavoni, Carrie Woerner, Robert C. Carroll, Yudelka Tapia, Amy Paulin.
  • Related/companion legislation: S417 (Senate companion); prior‑session bills A8550 and A8296.

(References: A4307 reprint AED 6/6/24 1R — amendment to R.S.52:14‑7)

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

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