ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2425

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 6, 2024

     The Assembly Education committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2425.

     This bill requires that the State Board of Education, within six months of the bill’s effective date, establish a program to pay the high school equivalency exam fees on behalf of low-income individuals.  The bill defines a low-income individual as one who lives in a household in which the household income is not greater than 185 percent of the most recent federal poverty guidelines.  The program would not provide payment for more than one exam for an individual.  The State cost of the fees would be paid from the portion of the Workforce Development Partnership Fund.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.