SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1445

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 5, 2024

      The Senate Higher Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1445.

This bill requires a public institution of higher education to readmit an undergraduate student who withdrew from the institution due to the student’s service in the uniformed services, including service in the Armed Forces, or as a member of the National Guard or Reserve, on active duty, active duty for training, or full-time National Guard duty under federal or State authority. Under the bill, the institution is required to readmit the student with the same academic status as the student had when the student last attended the institution. 

     The bill also provides that readmission is to be granted upon written request by the student for the next academic semester beginning after the date of the request.  Finally, the bill provides that an institution cannot charge an application or other fee for a readmission request made pursuant to the bill’s provisions.

      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.