STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman CARMEN THERESA MORALES
District 34 (Essex)
Assemblyman MICHAEL VENEZIA
District 34 (Essex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Sampson, Assemblywoman Bagolie, Assemblyman Rodriguez, Assemblywoman Drulis, Assemblymen Bergen, Simonsen, Assemblywomen Katz, Speight, Assemblymen Stanley, DiMaio and Freiman
SYNOPSIS
Allows certain public high school student-athletes to substitute study hall for physical education during their athletic seasons.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
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) 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 who meets the criteria enumerated in paragraph (2) of this subsection, participates in a school-sponsored sport, 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. Each 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.
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.
(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.
c. The school district shall determine for purposes of this section 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.
STATEMENT
This bill permits a public high school student in the tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade to substitute a physical education course with a study hall if the student: is enrolled in at least one advanced placement course, a dual enrollment program, or other college-level course, or is in need of additional academic support due to low academic performance indicators, as determined by the school district; participates in a school-sponsored sport; and is scheduled to attend a physical education course during the athletic season of that sport. The student who chooses to substitute the physical education course with a study hall is to receive for participation in the sport the number of high school graduation credits equal to the number received for completion of the physical education course.
The bill requires the parent or guardian of the student to provide the school district with written approval for the substitution. The coach of the school-sponsored sport is given the responsibility to certify to the school district the student’s participation in the sport. The student’s school counselor is required to certify to the school district that the student is eligible to substitute a physical education course with a study hall and that the counselor approves of the substitution.
The bill provides that the school district is to determine which school athletic activities constitute a school-sponsored sport. Eligible student-athletes participating in school-sponsored sports will only be permitted to elect to substitute study hall for physical education during that athletic season.
This bill does not exempt students from the statutory requirement that they attend at least two and one-half hours per school week of health and safety education courses, when these courses are scheduled. This bill also does not affect the physical education requirement for students in grades one through eight or for high school students who do not participate in school-sponsored sports.
Finally, the bill requires each school district to develop a policy to allow eligible students to substitute a physical education course with a study hall in accordance with the provisions of the bill.