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S 2620

Requires State to bear partial cost of transportation of certain homeless students to school.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Vin Gopal and 3 co-sponsors

The bill shifts some homeless student transportation costs from districts to the State, and allows up to two years of tuition-free attendance in the last-resided district after dis

Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
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Bill Summary · S 2620

Overview

S 2620 (Session 222, New Jersey) would require the State to bear a portion of transportation costs for certain homeless students and make related amendments to existing law on homeless student education and transportation. The bill focuses on two scenarios: (1) homeless students temporarily living in a district other than their district of residence, and (2) students who move due to homelessness caused by terrorism or natural disasters and remain in the original district for up to two years.

Main purpose and intent

  • To lessen the financial burden on local districts for transportation costs when homeless students attend school outside their district of residence.
  • To ensure that students experiencing homelessness continue to receive tuition-free education and transportation in specified circumstances when displacement is caused by terrorism or natural disasters.

Key provisions and changes

1) Transportation costs for homeless students attending out-of-district schools (amendment to P.L.1989, c.290; C.18A:7B-12.1)
- If a homeless child attends school in a district other than their district of residence, the district of residence must pay tuition and transportation costs.
- Exception: if the student has resided in a domestic violence shelter, homeless shelter, or transitional living facility located in a district different from the district of residence for more than one year, the State shall pay the tuition costs.
- If the student is temporarily residing in another district but attends school in the district of residence, the district of residence must provide transportation. The State will cover transportation costs that exceed the district’s average per-pupil transportation cost.
- This shifts some transportation cost burden from districts to the State in certain out-of-district scenarios and clarifies cost-sharing based on the student’s residency and temporary housing status.

2) Tuition-free enrollment and transportation for homeless students displaced by terrorism or natural disaster (amendment to P.L.2015, c.228; C.18A:7B-12.3)
- Notwithstanding existing laws, a student who moves due to homelessness caused by terrorism or a natural disaster that triggers a state of emergency or disaster may continue to enroll in the district where the parent/guardian last resided for up to two full school years.
- During this two-year period, if the student remains in the last-district and enrolls there, the district must provide tuition-free attendance and transportation.
- The State must bear transportation costs that exceed the average per-pupil transportation cost for the district in which the parent/guardian last resided prior to becoming homeless.

3) Effective date
- The act would take effect immediately and apply to the first full school year after enactment.

Who is affected

  • Homeless students who attend school in a district other than their district of residence.
  • Districts of residence that are currently responsible for tuition and transportation when homeless students attend elsewhere.
  • Districts where homeless students reside temporarily (with transportation costs potentially subsidized by the State).
  • Students displaced by terrorism or natural disasters who would otherwise be allowed to stay in the last-resided district for up to two years.
  • State education authorities and local boards of education, which would implement the new funding responsibilities.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Immediate effect upon enactment, with first applicability to the following full school year.
  • Administrative procedures would align with existing placement determinations and appeals processes for homeless students (as currently required by law) and would incorporate the new funding responsibilities to the State level.
  • Appeals and determinations regarding placement and transportation would continue to follow rules established by the State Board of Education.

Potential impact

  • Financial: Expected reduction in local district transportation costs for certain homeless students; State would cover transportation costs that exceed the district’s average per-pupil transportation cost in specified scenarios.
  • Continuity of education: Enhances stability by allowing continued enrollment or tuition-free attendance in a preferred district during displacement caused by emergencies or when the student temporarily resides elsewhere.
  • Access and equity: Aims to reduce disparities in transportation funding for homeless students, particularly when displacement is due to disastrous events or safety-related housing moves.

If you’d like, I can provide a concise section-by-section comparison with the current law to highlight the exact changes.

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

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