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A 6012

Relates to establishing the safe water infrastructure action program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Didi Barrett and 19 co-sponsors

The bill allows districts to count one or more days of virtual/remote instruction toward the 180-day school-year requirement when closures exceed three consecutive days due to emer

PRINT NUMBER 6012A
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Bill Summary · A 6012

Summary — A 6012 (Print No. 6012A) — Introduced Version

Note: The bill text provided amends N.J. education law (C.18A:7F-9) addressing school closures and virtual/remote instruction. The bill metadata lists a different title (“safe water infrastructure action program”) and there are some date/action inconsistencies in the materials provided. This summary focuses on the substance of the introduced text amending school-closure/virtual instruction rules.

Purpose and intent

To clarify and expand when and how days of virtual or remote instruction may be counted toward New Jersey’s statutory 180-day school-year requirement when schools are closed for public-health or emergency reasons, and to set related roles, protections, and guidance (for students, staff, districts, contracted providers, and special education services).

Key provisions and changes

  • 180-day requirement (C.18A:7F-9):

    • Reinforces that no State aid shall be paid to districts that did not provide public school facilities at least 180 days in the preceding school year, subject to commissioner remission for good cause.
    • Permits districts that close schools for more than three consecutive school days due to a declared state of emergency, declared public health emergency, or a public-health closure directive to count one or more days of virtual/remote instruction toward the 180-day requirement, provided the program meets commissioner-established criteria.

  • Program approval and timing:

    • Districts (with board approval) must submit proposed virtual/remote instruction programs to the Commissioner within 30 days of the effective date of P.L.2020, c.27 and annually thereafter.
    • If a district cannot submit within 30 days and is required to close, the commissioner may retroactively approve the program.

  • Legal and academic effects:

    • An approved virtual/remote instruction day is equivalent to a full day of school for State/local graduation requirements, awarding course credit, and other matters as determined by the commissioner.

  • Special education and equity:

    • If general education uses virtual/remote instruction, students with disabilities must be provided the same educational opportunities.
    • Special education and related services (speech, counseling, PT/OT, behavioral services, etc.) may be delivered via electronic/virtual platforms as required by the student’s IEP “to the greatest extent practicable.”

  • Local authority and notification:

    • Superintendents have authority to implement a district’s virtual/remote instruction program during such health-related closures (consulting the board when practicable) and must promptly notify students, parents, staff, and the board.

  • Commissioner guidance:

    • The commissioner shall define “virtual and remote instruction” and issue guidance covering: access for students lacking devices/broadband; required length of a virtual day; impacts on school meal programs; scheduling of State assessments; and other necessary topics.

  • Labor, compensation, and contracts (subsection e):

    • The bill preserves rights and protections of public school employees and collective bargaining units; it does not preempt collective bargaining agreements.
    • For closures >3 consecutive days due to covered emergencies, employees covered by collective bargaining agreements are entitled to compensation/benefits as if facilities remained open (with additional compensation negotiable for extra work).
    • Non-bargained employees are similarly entitled to benefits/compensation as if work had been performed.
    • Districts must continue payments to contracted service providers under existing contracts as if services were provided; proceeds are to be used for payroll and fixed costs of the providers.

Who is affected

  • Public school districts, charter schools, renaissance school projects, county vocational and county special services districts (all entities subject to the 180-day rule).
  • Students (including students with disabilities), parents, teachers, other school employees, and contracted service providers.
  • The Commissioner of Education (authority to define/approve programs and issue guidance).
  • Local school boards and superintendents (roles in approval/implementation and notification).

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Districts must submit virtual-instruction programs within 30 days of the effective date of P.L.2020, c.27 and annually thereafter; retroactive approval is allowed if needed.
  • The authority to count virtual days applies when closures exceed three consecutive school days and are due to a declared state of emergency, declared public health emergency, or public-health closure directive.
  • The provided bill text is truncated; additional provisions (if any) beyond the truncated portion are not summarized here.

Related legislation

  • Companion/similar measures noted: S 4355, S 1850; prior-session A 6155.

If you want, I can (1) check the enacted text of P.L.1996, c.138 and P.L.2020, c.27 to link specific cross-references, (2) compare this bill to the Senate companion, or (3 prepare a one-page brief for district administrators explaining compliance steps.

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

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