SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1376

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 2, 2026

      The Senate Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1376.

      This bill requires school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects that employ a school psychologist and offer in-person school psychology services to students in grades kindergarten through 12 to permit students to attend counseling sessions or meetings of any kind with the school psychologist for counseling purposes, through virtual or remote means, unless the school psychologist determines that in-person counseling is in the best interest of the student.

      The bill provides that a student will not be required to attend a school counseling session or meeting with a school psychologist remotely, and will be permitted to continue to attend sessions in-person.  The bill defines “school psychologist” as a person who holds a New Jersey standard educational services certificate with a school psychologist endorsement.

      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.