WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 895

Establishes provisions for use of applicant and student criminal history at institution of higher education and degree-granting proprietary institution.*

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Carter and 2 co-sponsors

New Jersey bill standardizes how colleges and degree-granting schools evaluate applicants' and students' criminal histories in admissions and enrollment decisions.

Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
#highered
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 895

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 895 establishes guidelines for how New Jersey colleges and proprietary degree-granting institutions can consider applicants' and enrolled students' criminal history during admissions and enrollment decisions. The bill creates standardized provisions—rather than leaving policies entirely to individual institutions—regarding when and how criminal records can factor into educational access.

Why is this important

Criminal history policies in college admissions directly affect economic mobility and rehabilitation prospects for individuals with prior convictions. Standardizing these rules across institutions prevents discriminatory disparities while allowing schools to maintain safety considerations, balancing access to education against institutional concerns about campus safety and student welfare.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of criminal history consideration: Disagreement over whether all offenses, only violent crimes, or only recent convictions should be relevant; schools may argue they need broad discretion while advocates argue this perpetuates barriers for people with past mistakes
  • Timing and rehabilitation: Tension between how long criminal history should disqualify applicants and whether institutions must account for rehabilitation efforts or time elapsed since conviction
  • Proprietary vs. public institutions: Different regulatory frameworks and accountability structures may make uniform rules difficult; for-profit schools may resist restrictions they view as limiting their institutional autonomy

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

Sign in to ask a question.