WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 4239

Requires board of education to provide an individual textbook for each student enrolled in a class.

2024-2025 Regular Session

Requires NJ school boards to provide each student with an individual textbook for every class that uses one, including electronic texts, with immediate effect.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee
#education #schboards
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4239

Legislative Summary: S 4239 (New Jersey)

Overview

S 4239 is a Senate bill introduced on February 3, 2025, that would require boards of education in New Jersey school districts to provide an individual textbook for each student enrolled in every class that uses a textbook. The act defines “textbook” broadly to include books, workbooks, manuals (bound or looseleaf) and electronic textbooks intended as the principal source of study material for a class. The bill is currently introduced and referred to the Senate Education Committee. A companion Assembly bill is A 4676.

Purpose and Intent

  • Address concerns that some students in a given class may not be issued a textbook, creating disparities in homework completion and test preparation.
  • Ensure every student has an individual textbook for each class that uses a textbook, thereby standardizing access to primary study materials.

Key Provisions

  1. Definition of Textbook
    • Includes books, workbooks, manuals (bound or looseleaf) and electronic textbooks used as the principal study material for a class.
  2. Requirement on School Boards
    • The board of education must provide an individual textbook for each student enrolled in each class in the district that uses a textbook.
  3. Effective Date
    • The act provides for immediate effect upon enactment.
  4. Relationship to Existing Law
    • The bill supplements Title 18A, Chapter 34 (Public School Textbooks) of the New Jersey Statutes.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: Students in New Jersey public schools enrolled in classes that use textbooks.
  • Secondary: School districts and boards of education (responsible for procurement, distribution, and maintenance of textbooks); Teachers (who rely on access to textbooks for instruction and assignments).

fiscal/Operational Implications

  • Potential increase in district expenditures for per-student textbooks (physical and/or electronic licenses) and associated distribution, cataloging, and replacement costs.
  • Operational considerations include inventory management, replacement of lost/damaged textbooks, and ensuring equitable distribution across all classrooms using textbooks.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Status: Introduced in the Senate and referred to the Senate Education Committee.
  • Introduced Date: February 3, 2025.
  • Legislative Actions listed include referral to Finance in addition to Education, though the current official status notes referral to Senate Education Committee.
  • Sponsor: Kevin S. Parker (primary).
  • Related/Band: Companion bill A 4676 ( Assembly); several related or prior-session bills listed (S 1586, S 2638, S 1100, S 4293, S 3642, S 4554, S 5002, S 6197).

Additional Notes

  • The bill defines “textbook” to include electronic formats, allowing districts flexibility in how textbooks are distributed (physical copies, e-textbooks, or other electronic means) as the principal study material.
  • No explicit funding mechanism or fiscal note is provided in the introduced text; districts would need to consider procurement and ongoing maintenance costs if enacted.

This summary covers the essential purpose, provisions, and potential impact of S 4239 as introduced.

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

Sign in to ask a question.