New Jersey Assembly Bill A4390

New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/19/26
• Refer: 2/19/26

Caption

Makes $20.2 million supplemental appropriation for increased nonpublic school security aid; modifies budget language to increase per pupil amount.

Summary

Assembly Bill 4390 makes a supplemental appropriation of $20.235 million from New Jersey’s General Fund to the Department of Education for Nonpublic Security Aid in fiscal year 2026. The bill increases the per-pupil aid formula from $205 to $338 for each nonpublic school student identified by a school district by November 5, with the funds to be used for security services, equipment, or technology that help maintain a safe and secure environment for nonpublic school students. According to the statement, the additional funding would raise total Nonpublic Security Aid from $30.55 million to $50.8 million. The bill is presented as a response to inflation-driven increases in security costs, concerns about hate crimes affecting religious-based private schools, and the growth in the number of private schools in New Jersey.

Impact

The bill would amend the fiscal year 2026 appropriations act by adding a new $20.235 million General Fund appropriation under the Department of Education for Nonpublic School Aid and by revising budget language governing the distribution formula. It would increase state aid flowing to school districts for nonpublic school security purposes and effectively expand the resources available for security-related expenditures at nonpublic schools, while leaving the underlying statutory framework for Nonpublic Security Aid in N.J.S.A. 18A:58-37.8 et seq. intact.

Sentiment

The bill appears generally supportive of nonpublic school security funding and is framed as a practical response to rising costs and safety concerns. The available record contains no committee debate or recorded votes, so there is no documented opposition or formal sentiment from legislative proceedings. The sponsor’s statement reflects a favorable view of increasing aid to protect nonpublic school students, especially in religious and private school settings.

Contention

The main points of potential contention are the use of state General Fund dollars for nonpublic schools, the size of the increase, and the policy choice to raise per-pupil security aid during a tight budget environment. Supporters emphasize inflation, security needs, and increased threats to religious schools, while critics, if any, would likely focus on equity concerns between public and nonpublic school funding and whether the appropriation should be prioritized over other education or state needs. No specific opposition is documented in the provided materials.