SENATE MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3902

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 3, 2025

      The Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 3902.

      As amended by the committee, this bill permits excused absences for students participating in college visits, visits to postsecondary technical institutions, and military recruitment-related activities.

      The bill requires a student enrolled in grades 11 or 12 to be eligible for a cumulative total of three excused absences per school year for the purpose of college visits or visits to postsecondary technical institutions.  If such student is absent from school to complete a military recruitment-related activity, the pupil will have the absence for that purpose recorded as an excused absence on the pupil’s attendance record.  The absence is not to be included on a student’s transcript, application, employment form, or any similar form requested.  The absence is also not to be considered when determining if a student has a perfect attendance record for the school year.

      Under the bill, a military recruitment-related activity means any activity required by the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard to be eligible to enlist in military service, including, but not limited to, any testing, medical or physical evaluations, interviews, and fingerprinting.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to: include students of a public school enrolled in grade 11 in the eligibility for excused absences; permit a total of three excused absences per school year for the purpose of college visits or visits to postsecondary technical institutions; clarify that any military recruitment-related activity will qualify for recording as an excused absence; and provide that the bill will take effect in the first full school year following the date of enactment.