SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2962

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 11, 2026

      The Senate Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2962.

      This bill requires every educational support professional who has served in the active military of the United States and is declared by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to be eligible for federal veterans' benefits to receive equivalent years of employment or seniority credit, up to four years, for that service as if the professional had been employed for the same period of time at the school district.   Any military service would be credited towards this employment or seniority credit, including service that occurred prior to the professional’s employment as an educational support professional.

      Current law provides that a teaching staff member may receive up to four years of credit, in computing length of service for seniority purposes, for military service.  This bill provides a similar benefit to educational support professionals.