Bill to Allow Children of Active Duty Military to Stay in Same Schools Now Law

TRENTON — Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak to allow the children of reservists or National Guard members called to active duty to remain in the same school district, regardless of active duty relocations, has been signed into law.
“This is the right thing to do for the children of those who devote themselves to defending our freedom,” said Andrzejczak (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland), an Army veteran who served in Iraq. “It also helps promote a stable environment for these children, which can only help with their education.”
Under the law (A-1667), the child of a member of the New Jersey National Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces Reserve who has been called into active military service may remain enrolled in the school district where the family lived prior to being called up, regardless of where the family resides during active service. Affected school districts will not be responsible for providing transportation for a child who lives outside of the district.
Following the return of the guard member or reservist to inactive status, the child would be able to complete the school year before becoming ineligible to remain enrolled, provided the family continues to live outside the district.
The measure received unanimous approval from the legislature before it was signed into law on Tues.