(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Ruben J. Ramos Jr., Annette Quijano, Marlene Caride and Gabriela Mosquera to require the state to issue reminder notices to school districts of the requirement to enroll resident students in accordance with all applicable statutes and rules and regulations of the state board of education was signed into law on Thursday.
“These children are entitled to an appropriate public education,” said Ramos (D-Hudson). “We’re talking about children who have no control over their immigration status, and we should want them to be enrolled in school and properly educated so they can become productive members of our society. When you think about it, this is just common sense.”
“It’s important to regularly remind school districts that a child’s immigration status does not affect his eligibility to attend public school,” said Quijano (D-Union).
“Requiring the Department of Education to biannually distribute a notice to each school district reminding the district of the obligation to enroll resident students regardless of immigration status is the right thing to do for children,” said Caride (D-Bergen/Passaic).
“We are rightly committed in New Jersey to educating each and every child, and this new law simply reminds everyone of that goal,” said Mosquera (D-Camden, Gloucester). “This is about fairness and ensuring a better future for our state.”
Under the new law, the state is required to distribute a notice to school districts twice a year reminding them of the requirement to enroll resident students regardless of immigration status. The notice must be distributed by Aug. 1 and Dec. 30 of each school year and must include information on the documentation that may be requested pursuant to state board regulations to demonstrate a student’s eligibility for enrollment in the district. The law will become effective on the 60th day following enactment.