ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

ASSEMBLY, No. 2042

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 15, 2026

      The Assembly Education Committee reports favorably an Assembly Committee Substitute for Assembly Bill No. 2042.

      This committee substitute requires the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health, to develop and distribute guidance to public schools concerning accommodations for students who are fasting for religious or medical reasons.  The commissioners are required to consult with interested stakeholders in the education community in developing the guidance.

      The bill provides that the guidance will address:

      (1)  flexibility for physical education classes, athletic participation, examinations, and other school activities;

      (2)  differentiated instruction and alternative educational activities for students whose fasting may affect participation in certain physical activities;

      (3)  strategies to support students who are fasting for religious or medical reasons without adversely affecting the students’ academic standing or access to instruction aligned with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards;

      (4)  communication with parents or guardians regarding requests for accommodations related to fasting; and

      (5)  professional development resources and best practices for teachers, coaches, school nurses, counselors, and administrators concerning students who are fasting for religious or medical reasons.

      Within one year of the effective date of the bill, the Department of Education is required to post the guidance on its Internet website.

      The bill is not to be construed as providing a public school the authority to: alter State graduation requirements for students who are fasting for religious or medical reasons; preclude a student who is fasting from meeting local graduation requirements as a result of any accommodations provided to the student; or require a student who is fasting to complete additional schoolwork or instructional time as a result of any accommodations provided to the student in order to meet local graduation requirements.

      As reported by the committee, the committee substitute for Assembly Bill No. 2042 is identical to Senate Bill No. 1340 SCS, which was also amended and reported by the committee on this date.