SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1343

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 2, 2026

      The Senate Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1343.

      This bill permits a student who successfully completes a course at a county fire academy to be eligible to receive credit toward meeting the high school graduation requirements for health, safety, and physical education if the student meets certain criteria.

      The bill provides that in order to be eligible to receive credit, the student is required to: be between the ages of 16 and 18 years old; complete an examination, as applicable, to become a junior firefighter, or equivalent; and commit to volunteer at the fire department that serves the municipality in which the student resides for a period of two years.

      The bill specifies that the provisions of the bill are to be construed as fulfilling the requirement to become a member of the Junior Firefighter’s Auxiliary established pursuant to State law.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.