SENATE, No. 1343
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH PENNACCHIO
District 26 (Morris and Passaic)
Senator ANTHONY M. BUCCO
District 25 (Morris and Passaic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senators Timberlake and Gopal
SYNOPSIS
Permits students to be eligible for high school graduation credits in career readiness or career and technical education for completing county fire academy course under certain circumstances.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As amended by the Senate on May 28, 2026.
An Act concerning credit for graduation requirements and supplementing chapter 35 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. A student who successfully completes a course at a county fire academy shall be eligible to receive credit toward meeting high school graduation requirements for 1[health, safety, and physical education] career readiness or career and technical education1 in accordance with N.J.A.C.6A:8-5.1, provided that the 1[student]1:
(1) 1county fire academy ensures that the course aligns with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Career Readiness, Life Literacies, and Key Skills;
(2) student1 is between the ages of 16 and 18 years old;
1[(2)] (3) student1 completes an examination, as applicable, to become a junior firefighter, or an equivalent position; and
1[(3)] (4) student1 commits to volunteer at the fire department that serves the municipality in which the student resides for a period of two years.
b. Nothing in this act shall be construed as fulfilling the requirement to become a member of the Junior Firefighter’s Auxiliary established pursuant to N.J.S.40A:14-96.
2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall first apply to the first full school year following the date of enactment.