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S 3979

Establishes peer crisis diversion residences

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Parker

Every NJ higher ed institution must appoint a student parent liaison to inform and connect student parents with academic supports, resources, and parenting accommodations.

REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH
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Bill Summary · S 3979

S 3979 — Summary of Introduced Version (New Jersey)

Note: The bill header’s title, “Establishes peer crisis diversion residences,” appears inconsistent with the introduced text, which focuses on student parents. The summary below reflects the introduced version content.

Overview and Intent

  • Purpose: Require each institution of higher education in New Jersey to designate at least one employee to serve as a student parent liaison. The liaison is intended to ensure student parents are aware of and able to access services that support their academic success, including accommodations related to parenting.
  • Scope: Applies to all institutions of higher education in New Jersey.

Key Provisions

  • Designation of a Student Parent Liaison

    • Each institution must designate at least one employee as the student parent liaison.
    • The liaison’s primary role is to ensure student parents are informed about and can access necessary academic support and resources.

  • Responsibilities of the Liaison

    • Provide information to student parents about:
    • Academic support services available at the institution.
    • Student academic success strategies.
    • Other resources developed by the institution to meet the needs of student parents.
    • Serve as the primary point of contact for student parents seeking accommodations or parenting-related leave.

  • Accessibility and Outreach

    • The liaison’s contact information must be easily accessible via the institution’s Internet website.

  • Effective Date

    • The act would take effect on the first day of the fourth month after enactment.

Affected Parties

  • Primary impact: Students who are parents enrolled at institutions of higher education in New Jersey.
  • Institutions: Each higher education institution would incur the administrative responsibility to appoint and maintain a student parent liaison and to provide relevant information and resources.

Legislative Status and Details

  • Introduced: December 16, 2024
  • Current Status: Referred to Mental Health (as of January 31, 2025); previously referred to Senate Higher Education
  • Sponsor: Kevin S. Parker (primary)
  • Related/Companion Measures:
    • A 5284 (companion)
    • Several prior-session bills listed (S 1894, S 890, S 3017, S 5012, S 3256, S 4381, S 4657, S 5274; A 185 as a companion)

Implications and Considerations

  • Administrative Impact: Institutions will need to designate staff and ensure liaison accessibility online, which may involve staffing and resource planning.
  • Student Impact: A dedicated point of contact could improve access to services, accommodations, and leave related to parenting, potentially supporting retention and academic success for student parents.
  • Note on Title: The stated bill title may not align with the introduced content; readers should rely on the enacted provisions as the operative text.

Summary in Brief

S 3979 would mandate every New Jersey higher education institution to appoint a student parent liaison responsible for informing student parents about academic supports, success strategies, and other institutional resources, and to serve as the main contact for parenting-related accommodations or leave. The liaison’s contact details would be publicly accessible on the institution’s website, with the bill taking effect four months after enactment. The measure is currently in Mental Health committee, with sponsor Kevin S. Parker and several related companion bills identified.

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

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