Legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Patrick Diegnan and Tim Eustace permitting students who are made homeless by an act of terrorism or natural disaster to continue attending, tuition-free for two school years, the district in which they had previously resided has been signed into law.
“Students who have lost their homes as a result of a terrorist act or a natural disaster, such as Hurricane Sandy, should not be forced to change schools,” said Diegnan (D-Middlesex). “This common sense legislation will provide those young victims the security of being able to continue attending the schools in their home town.”
The bill (A-4924) would allow a student who moves from one school district to another as a result of being homeless due to an act of terrorism or natural disaster, to continue to enroll in the school district in which the parent last resided prior to becoming homeless for up to two full school years.
“This legislation gives families who have experienced either one of these tragedies the ability to continue providing a sense of normalcy and continuity for their children by remaining in their school district,” said Eustace (D-Bergen/Passaic). “Given the persistent threats to both our security and our environment, it’s important to ensure stability in a child’s education and their life as a whole.”
The bill stipulates that for a two-year period, a student, whose family’s home was destroyed, will be able to continue attending school in the district tuition-free. In addition transportation will be provided.