New Jersey Pending Homeschool Legislation

Reviewed November 2, 2026: no changes noted.

Status as of November 2, 2026: Four homeschool bills are pending in the New Jersey Legislature. All were filed in the 2026-2027 session of the 222nd Legislature and remain alive until the session ends in January 2028. None has had a committee hearing.

Next session: The Legislature is in its two-year 2026-2027 session. The 2027 calendar year begins January 12, 2027 (MultiState). We check New Jersey weekly and daily during session, and this page will be updated as bills move.

Pending Bills

S741: Annual Meeting with School District for Homeschooled Children

• Sponsor: Sen. John J. Burzichelli (District 3) and Sen. Paul D. Moriarty (District 4); co-sponsor Sen. Benjie E. Wimberly
• Status: Introduced January 13, 2026, and referred to the Senate Education Committee (NJ Legislature: S741). Identical Assembly bill: A1341. Last session: S4589/A5796.
• On a committee agenda: No
• Synopsis: Would require a child in a home education program and the parent to meet once a year with a school counselor, school nurse, or school social worker chosen by the district superintendent. The meeting would let the parent request district support and let the district staff member conduct a “general health and wellness check” of the child (bill text).
• Rating: 👎 Increases burdens. It would create a mandatory yearly meeting and wellness check for every homeschooled child.

S3910: Annual Notice of Intent to Homeschool

• Sponsor: Sen. Angela V. McKnight (District 31, Hudson)
• Status: Introduced March 12, 2026, and referred to the Senate Education Committee (NJ Legislature: S3910). Last session: S1796.
• On a committee agenda: No
• Synopsis: Parents would send the district superintendent a letter by August 1 each year stating they will homeschool. The letter would list the child’s name, date of birth, and grade, and the name of the person teaching. Each district would post on its website the number and grade levels of homeschooled children living in the district (bill text).
• Rating: 👎 Increases burdens. It adds a yearly filing for every homeschool family.

A3394: Registration and Oversight of Home Education Programs

• Sponsor: Assemblyman Sterley S. Stanley (District 18, Middlesex)
• Status: Introduced January 13, 2026, and referred to the Assembly Education Committee (NJ Legislature: A3394). Last session: A5825.
• On a committee agenda: No
• Synopsis: Parents would register each child with the district superintendent by August 1 (or within 14 days of starting) and submit a copy of the curriculum, which must align with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. The program supervisor would keep a portfolio, including a yearly evaluation by a qualified evaluator who is not the parent, and submit it to the superintendent by June 30. The superintendent could approve a State-endorsed diploma for students who meet the requirements (bill text).
• Rating: 👎 Increases burdens. Registration, curriculum alignment to state standards, and yearly portfolio evaluations would be major new requirements.

A231: “Homeschool Parent’s Bill of Rights”

• Sponsor: Assemblyman John V. Azzariti Jr., M.D. (District 39, Bergen)
• Status: Introduced January 13, 2026, and referred to the Assembly Education Committee (NJ Legislature: A231). Last session: A714.
• On a committee agenda: No
• Synopsis: Declares that homeschool parents have a fundamental right to direct their child’s education. It lists rights to individualize instruction, choose who teaches, keep sole authority over curriculum, provide a safe learning environment, and set the pace and approach (bill text).
• Rating: 👍 Decreases burdens. It adds no requirements and writes homeschool parents’ rights into state law.