Bill Text: NJ A3873 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Allows certain public high school student-athletes to substitute study hall for physical education during their athletic seasons.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-4)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-05-06 - Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd Reading [A3873 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2024-A3873-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 3873

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

221st LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 27, 2024

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  CARMEN THERESA MORALES

District 34 (Essex)

Assemblyman  MICHAEL VENEZIA

District 34 (Essex)

Assemblyman  BENJIE E. WIMBERLY

District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Sampson, Assemblywoman Bagolie, Assemblymen Rodriguez, Marenco, Assemblywoman Drulis, Assemblymen Bergen and Simonsen

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Allows certain public high school student-athletes to substitute study hall for physical education during their athletic seasons.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Assembly Education Committee on May 6, 2024, with amendments.

  

An Act concerning physical education instruction in public high schools and supplementing chapter 35 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

      1.   a. ¹(1)¹ Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.18A:35-7, N.J.S.18A:35-8, or any other law to the contrary, a public high school student in tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade who¹meets the criteria enumerated in paragraph (2) of this subsection,¹ participates in a school-sponsored sport¹,¹ and is scheduled to attend a physical education course during the athletic season of that sport may elect to substitute the physical education course with a study hall during that athletic season.  The student's participation in the sport shall count towards the student's physical education requirement for graduation, and the student shall receive the number of high school graduation credits equal to the number received for completion of the physical education course. ¹Each school district shall develop a policy to allow eligible students to substitute a physical education course with a study hall in accordance with this section.

      (2)  A public high school student may only elect to substitute a physical education course with a study hall pursuant to this subsection if the student is: enrolled in at least one advanced placement course, a dual enrollment program, or other college-level course; or in need of additional academic support due to low academic performance indicators, as determined by the school district.¹

      b.  (1)  The parent or guardian of a student seeking to substitute a physical education course with a study hall pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall provide the school district with written approval for the substitution.

      (2)  The coach of the school-sponsored sport shall certify to the school district the student's participation in the sport.

      ¹(3)  The student's school counselor shall certify to the school district that the student is eligible to substitute a physical education course with a study hall pursuant to this section and that the counselor approves of the substitution.¹

     c.  The school district shall determine for purposes of this ¹[act] section¹ which school athletic activities constitute a school-sponsored sport.

 

     2.  This act shall take effect immediately and shall first apply to the 2024-2025 school year.