SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3976

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 12, 2025

      The Senate Higher Education Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 3976 with committee amendments.

      As amended, this bill provides that an undergraduate student enrolled in an institution of higher education that already offers priority registration to any other undergraduate students is to be granted priority in registering for courses at the institution provided that the student is a resident of New Jersey and is the parent or legal guardian of a child under 18 years of age.

      The bill also provides that the priority course registration is to occur using the same procedures used by other segments of the student population that are offered priority registration by the institution. Prior to the registration period for each academic semester, an institution of higher education is required to notify students eligible for priority course registration under the bill.

      Currently, some institutions of higher education offer priority registration to certain students, including student-athletes, students with disabilities, and current and former military service members. This bill requires those institutions to expand priority registration eligibility to include student parents.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to limit the bill’s provisions to undergraduate students.  The bill, as introduced, would have also applied to graduate students.