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A 1778

Grants members of the city of New York's police force eligibility for retirement and pension based on previous service as traffic enforcement agents

2025 Regular Session Introduced by George Alvarez and 13 co-sponsors

Establishes a four-year New Jersey STEM Scholars Grant Pilot Program to fund school districts, renaissance schools, and charter schools expanding STEM learning opportunities.

RETURNED TO ASSEMBLY
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Bill Summary · A 1778

Note on bill content: The title and top-line bill description you supplied (about New York City police retirement eligibility) does not match the bill text and versions provided. The documents included are for A1778 (A/B/C) establishing the New Jersey “STEM Scholars Grant Pilot Program.” The summary below describes the NJ STEM pilot program found in the bill text.

A1778 — Summary (New Jersey STEM Scholars Grant Pilot Program)

Purpose

Establishes a four‑year New Jersey STEM Scholars Grant Pilot Program in the Department of Education to help school districts, renaissance schools, and charter schools create or expand STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education opportunities and increase student access to STEM programming.

Key provisions

  • Creates the New Jersey STEM Scholars Grant Pilot Program, administered by the Commissioner of Education.
  • Grants will support programming in three concentrations:
    • Project‑based learning (STEM‑integrated projects with instruction and reflection),
    • Afterschool STEM (clubs, labs, workshops, science fairs, etc.),
    • Out‑of‑school STEM (creative STEM experiences outside the classroom).
  • Competitive grants awarded to school districts, renaissance schools, and charter schools.
  • Grants must supplement, not supplant, existing STEM funding.
  • Establishes the STEM Scholars Grant Fund within the Department of Education to hold legislative appropriations and private donations for the program.
  • No State grant payments under the pilot unless appropriated in the annual appropriations act.

Application requirements (minimum)

Applicants must submit to the commissioner:
1. Chosen area(s) of concentration,
2. Amount requested,
3. Description of how funds will create or supplement STEM programs,
4. Student recruitment plans,
5. Teacher/mentor support plans,
6. Plan for financial sustainability beyond the grant,
7. Evaluation method to assess impact on participating students,
8. Any other information the commissioner requires.

Who is affected

  • Primary: New Jersey public school districts, renaissance schools, and charter schools that apply for grants.
  • Secondary: K‑12 students who gain expanded access to STEM learning experiences; teachers and mentors leading the programs; local education budgets (supplemental grant funds and sustainability planning).

Funding and fiscal notes

  • Fund receives annual appropriations from the Legislature and may accept corporate or private donations.
  • The bill specifies that state grants require a legislative appropriation; no specific dollar amounts are authorized in the text.

Timeline and status

  • Introduced: January 9, 2024.
  • Effective: First full school year following enactment; Commissioner may take anticipatory administrative action beforehand.
  • Legislative activity (selected): Passed Assembly (June 9, 2025), passed Senate (June 10, 2025); returned to Assembly (status: RETURNED TO ASSEMBLY). Multiple print/amend versions (A, B, C) were filed.

Potential impacts

  • Could broaden participation in STEM through targeted, projects and out‑of‑classroom learning.
  • Encourages program innovation and evaluation at participating schools.
  • Fiscal impact depends on appropriations and private donations; schools must plan for sustainability once pilot funding ends.

Sponsors & related measures

  • Primary sponsor listed: Jenifer Rajkumar; multiple cosponsors. Related/companion bills: S2256, S6988; prior-session analogs A3129, A10611.

If you intended to summarize a different A1778 concerning NYC police retirement/pension eligibility, please provide that bill text or confirm, and I will prepare a separate summary.

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

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