SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
SENATE, No. 1340
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
ADOPTED MAY 11, 2026
Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH PENNACCHIO
District 26 (Morris and Passaic)
Senator BRIAN P. STACK
District 33 (Hudson)
Assemblywoman SHAMA A. HAIDER
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblyman AL BARLAS
District 40 (Bergen, Essex and Passaic)
Assemblyman AL ABDELAZIZ
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senators McKnight, Beach, Johnson and Ruiz, Assemblywoman Carter, Renolds-Jackson, Assemblyman Sampson, Karabinchak, Spearman and Kennedy
SYNOPSIS
Requires Commissioner of Education to develop guidance on accommodations for certain students fasting for religious or medical reasons.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Education Committee on June 15, 2026, with amendments.
An Act concerning religious and medical accommodations for public school students and supplementing chapter 6 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health, shall develop and distribute guidance to public schools concerning accommodations for students who are fasting for religious or medical reasons.
b. The guidance required pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall include, but not be limited to, recommendations concerning:
(1) 1[scheduling considerations and]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 1[instructional or]1 physical activities;
(3) 1[model policies concerning matters related to student fasting, including attendance, health, hydration, nutrition, and student wellness;
(4) methods by which school districts may address graduation credit requirements and course participation requirements while ensuring students continue to receive] strategies to support students who are fasting for religious or medical reasons without adversely affecting the students’ academic standing or access to1 instruction aligned with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards;
1[(5)] (4)1 communication with parents or guardians regarding requests for accommodations related to fasting; and
1[(6)] (5)1 professional development resources and best practices for teachers, coaches, school nurses, counselors, and administrators concerning students who are fasting for religious or medical reasons.
c. 1Nothing in this section shall be construed as providing a public school the authority to:
(1) alter State graduation requirements for students who are fasting for religious or medical reasons, unless such alterations are otherwise provided in a student’s individualized education program or pursuant to any other State or federal law;
(2) preclude a student who is fasting for religious or medical reasons from meeting local graduation requirements as a result of any accommodations provided to the student pursuant to this section; or
(3) require a student who is fasting for religious or medical reasons to complete additional schoolwork or instructional time as a result of any accommodations provided to the student pursuant to this section in order to meet local graduation requirements.
d.1 In developing the guidance pursuant to this section, the commissioners shall consult with interested stakeholders in the education community, including, but not limited to, educators, school health professionals, religious and community organizations, and organizations representing students with medical conditions that may require fasting.
1[d.] e.1 The Department of Education shall make the guidance developed pursuant to subsection a. of this section publicly available on its Internet website within 1[180 days] one year1 following the effective date of this act.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.