New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill S1458

Introduced
1/9/24  
Introduced
1/13/26  
Refer
1/9/24  
Refer
1/13/26  
Report Pass
5/16/24  
Engrossed
12/18/25  
Engrossed
1/12/26  
Enrolled
1/12/26  
Chaptered
1/20/26  

Caption

Requires Commissioner of Department of Veterans Affairs to develop mobile application to provide guidance on available resources to veterans and their families.

Impact

If enacted, S1458 would significantly impact how public institutions disclose essential information to students, particularly for those enrolled exclusively in online degree programs and graduate degrees. Institutions would be required to present comprehensive data that includes graduation rates disaggregated by demographic factors, costs associated with living on campus versus commuting, and financial assistance opportunities. This transparency is intended to help students make informed decisions and potentially reduce student loan debt by highlighting financial aid available to various student demographics.

Summary

Senate Bill S1458 aims to enhance transparency for students considering enrollment in four-year public institutions of higher education in New Jersey. The bill mandates that these institutions provide detailed information regarding tuition costs, graduation rates, and faculty details on their public websites. This amendment to the existing 'New Jersey College Student and Parent Consumer Information Act' seeks to ensure that prospective students and their families are well-informed about the academic and financial parameters of the education they are contemplating.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding S1458 appears to be positive, as legislators and education advocates express support for increased transparency in higher education. Proponents argue that providing clear and accessible information will empower students and help mitigate issues related to student debt and graduation rates. However, there may be concerns from institutions regarding the administrative burden of collecting and posting this information, which could lead to pushback from some educational administrators.

Contention

Notable points of contention regarding S1458 center around the operational feasibility and financial implications for institutions tasked with gathering and publishing the required data. Some educators argue that the additional reporting requirements might strain resources, especially for smaller institutions. These concerns reflect a wider debate about the balance between enhancing consumer protections and imposing administrative burdens on educational institutions.

Companion Bills

NJ A2138

Same As Requires Commissioner of Department of Veterans Affairs to develop mobile application to provide guidance on available resources to veterans and their families.

NJ S755

Carry Over Requires DMVA to develop mobile application to provide guidance on available resources to veterans and their families.

NJ A1595

Carry Over Requires DMVA to develop mobile application to provide guidance on available resources to veterans and their families.

NJ A2133

Carry Over Directs AOC to establish implicit bias training for judges and judicial personnel.

NJ S3083

Carry Over Eliminates restriction on sale of beer by limited brewery licensee for on-premises consumption only when in connection with tour; requires licensee to provide tours during certain business hours.

Previously Filed As

NJ A2351

Requires Commissioner of Department of Veterans Affairs to develop mobile application to provide guidance on available resources to veterans and their families.

NJ S1367

Requires DMVA to develop mobile application to provide guidance on available resources to veterans and their families.

NJ A08967

Renames the veterans' services law the veterans and military families law; renames the department of veterans' services the department of veterans and military families; requires the department of veterans and military families to provide certain services to military families.

NJ A11022

Directs the department of veterans' services and the department of economic development to make available on their website information about federal and state programs available to businesses that employ veterans.

NJ HF3467

Commissioner of veterans affairs allowed to direct agency resources to veterans' initiatives, and reports required.

NJ SB417

In Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, further providing for Fort Indiantown Gap; and establishing the Service Members, Veterans and their Families Fund.

NJ HB1264

In Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, further providing for Fort Indiantown Gap; and establishing the Service Members, Veterans and their Families Fund.

NJ SF4075

Secret War in Laos veterans benefits availability modifications and eligibility process establishment by the commissioner of veterans affairs requirement provision

NJ SF3956

Commissioner of veterans affairs permission to direct agency resources to veterans' initiatives

NJ SF866

Grave markers for veterans provided by the commissioner of veterans affairs requirement provision and appropriation

Similar Bills

CA AB850

Institutional Debt Transparency Act.

NJ A2359

Requires undergraduate students to file degree plan and requires institutions of higher education and certain propriety institutions to develop pathway systems to graduation.

NJ S1480

Requires undergraduate students to file degree plan and requires institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions to develop pathway systems to graduation.

CA AB2771

California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009.

NJ S1504

Establishes process for merger or consolidation of public institution of higher education with other institutions of higher education or certain proprietary institutions; requires executive and legislative approval of merger or consolidation.

NJ A2133

Establishes process for merger or consolidation of public institution of higher education with other institutions of higher education or certain proprietary institutions; requires executive and legislative approval of merger or consolidation.

TX HB5180

Relating to the issuance of a diploma to a student graduating from a public institution of higher education that has undergone a merger, acquisition, or name change.

CA AB1098

California Education Interagency Council.