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Bill

A 4862

Requires school calendar to include certain days for inclement weather and emergencies.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Alex Sauickie

Requires school calendars to designate days specifically for inclement weather and emergencies to preserve instructional time and continuity.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee
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Bill Summary · A 4862

Summary of New Jersey Assembly Bill A-4862 (Session 222)

Overview

  • Bill: A-4862
  • Jurisdiction: New Jersey
  • Session: 222
  • Title: Requires school calendar to include certain days for inclement weather and emergencies
  • Introduction Date / Action: Introduced and referred to the Assembly Education Committee on May 4, 2026
  • Primary Sponsor / Co-Sponsor: Sponsored with a co-sponsor by Assembly member Alex Sauickie

Purpose and Intent

A-4862 requires school districts to incorporate specific days within the official school calendar dedicated to inclement weather and related emergencies. The aim is to ensure predictable, planned windows to address weather-related closures or disruptions without jeopardizing instructional time or student safety.

Key Provisions (as described by the bill’s title and typical implementations)

While the full text is not provided here, the bill’s title implies the following core elements:
- Calendar Inclusion: Mandates that the school calendar include designated days specifically reserved for inclement weather events and emergencies.
- Purpose of Designated Days: These days serve to:
- Provide planned or fallback opportunities for instructional time when closures occur due to weather or emergencies.
- Minimize the impact of unplanned closures on statewide or district-wide curricula and testing schedules.
- Criteria for Use: The bill likely outlines:
- Types of events that qualify as inclement weather or emergencies.
- Conditions under which the designated days can be used (e.g., closures, delayed openings, early dismissals).
- Usage and Substitution Rules: Possibly includes rules about:
- How many days must be reserved per school year.
- Whether these days can be used only for make-up days or can be reallocated for remote/alternative instruction.
- Requirements for communicating changes to families and staff.

Affected Parties

  • School Districts: Primary implementers responsible for integrating the designated days into their annual calendars and ensuring compliance.
  • Students and Families: Benefit from predictable planning around potential closures and continuity of instruction.
  • Educators and Staff: Receive clearer guidance on calendar structure and emergency planning.
  • Education Administration: Responsible for monitoring compliance and potentially reporting to the state.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Introduced and referred to the Assembly Education Committee (as of May 4, 2026).
  • Next Steps: The committee would review the bill, potentially amend, and decide whether to advance it to full Assembly consideration or further legislative actions.
  • Effective Date: The bill’s text would specify when the calendar changes take effect (often a school year after enactment, e.g., the next upcoming academic year), but the exact date is not provided in the summary available.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Educational Continuity: Could improve consistency in instructional time by providing structured contingency planning.
  • Calendaring Flexibility: Might limit or encourage flexibility in how districts schedule make-up days, including possibilities for remote instruction.
  • Operational Planning: Districts may need to adjust calendars, communicate changes earlier, and align with state testing windows and curricula.
  • Equity and Access: If remote or alternative instruction options are involved, considerations include broadband access and available resources for all students.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to include hypothetical text sections (e.g., proposed clauses) or compare to existing NJ regulations on inclement weather planning.

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

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