WeVote
Log In

Bill

SH

Bill

A 3407

Prohibits institutions of higher education from requiring students who have children to purchase meal plans, live in on-campus housing, or pay gym fees.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Shama Haider and 1 co-sponsor

The bill bans colleges from requiring student-parents to buy meal plans, live on campus, or pay gym fees, except where housing or program scholarships justify it.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 3407

Summary of New Jersey Bill A 3407 (Session 222)

Purpose and Scope

  • This bill aims to protect students who have children by limiting certain requirements that colleges and universities in New Jersey can impose on them.
  • Specifically, it prohibits institutions from compelling student-parents to incur certain costs or live on campus, unless clearly justified by other programmatic conditions.

Key Provisions

  1. Meal Plans

    • Institutions may not require a student who has full or partial custody of a child to purchase a meal plan.

  2. On-Campus Housing

    • Institutions may not require such a student to reside in on-campus housing.
    • Exceptions exist only if housing is required as part of:
      • Entry into a residential cohort or access program, or
      • A condition for receipt of a scholarship.

  3. Campus Gym/Fitness Fees

    • Institutions may not require a student with a child to pay fees for campus gym, fitness center, or recreational facilities.
    • The prohibition applies as long as these fees are not part of separate campus service fees (e.g., transportation fees, which are not covered by this bill).
    • Institutions may still restrict access to facilities if the associated fees are not paid, consistent with their general policies.

  4. Definitions and Coverage

    • Applies to students who have full or partial custody of a child.
    • Applies across higher education institutions in New Jersey.

  5. Effective Date and Timing

    • The act takes effect immediately.
    • It will first apply to the first full academic year beginning after the act’s effective date.

Who Might Be Affected

  • Directly Affected:
    • Students enrolled in New Jersey colleges or universities who have full or partial custody of a child.
  • Indirectly Affected:
    • Institutions of higher education (colleges and universities) that currently enforce meal plans, on-campus housing requirements, or gym/fitness fees for student-parents.
    • Campus services and housing offices that administer student requirements and fees.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduction: January 13, 2026.
  • Committee Action: Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee.
  • Sponsors: Co-sponsors Shama Haider and Heather Simmons.

Notes for Readers

  • The bill does not require institutions to provide free access to gym facilities; rather, it prevents the imposition of meal plans, on-campus housing requirements, or gym/fitness fees specifically for student-parents, subject to the stated exceptions (housing restrictions tied to certain programs or scholarships).
  • The language allows institutions to enforce existing policies unrelated to the restricted items, and to require payment or access according to other general campus fee structures not specifically tied to meal plans, housing, or gym access for student-parents.
  • If enacted, the policy would take effect in the first full academic year after passage.

This summary focuses on the substantive changes the bill would implement, who would be affected, and the practical implications for student-parents and higher education institutions in New Jersey.

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

Sign in to ask a question.