ASSEMBLY MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 3694

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 19, 2022

      The Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 3694.

This bill creates a Purple Star Schools Program in the Department of Education.  As amended, the Commissioner of Education will annually recognize as Purple Star Schools those schools that provide for, or have made significant progress to respond to, the educational and social-emotional challenges military-connected students encounter during the transition to a new school when the student’s parent or guardian is an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces and is relocated due to the active duty member’s continued military service.

      Under the bill, a Purple Star School will be designated as such if it provides programs and services that include, but need not be limited to, the following:

      (1)  training for faculty and staff members to ease entry into the new school environment for military-connected students;

      (2)  student-led programs to help create social connections, including an emphasis on programs for students who arrive mid-year and miss out on the normal cycles of sports and club activities;

      (3)  a military family webpage on the school website to inform parents and guardians about programs and services;

      (4)  relevant professional development opportunities for additional school staff; and

      (5)  holding school-wide military recognition events that raise awareness and recognize the value of military service.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT

      There is a proposed committee amendment to the bill to change the phrase “public and nonpublic schools” to “schools.”