Bipartisan legislation aimed at extending seniority protections to educational support professionals with military service has advanced in the New Jersey Senate. The bill, S-4428, is sponsored by Senator Carmen Amato, Jr. (R-9) and Senator Raj Mukherji (D-32), and was recently passed by the Senate Higher Education committee.
The proposed law would allow non-teaching school district employees—including teacher’s aides, administrative assistants, bus drivers, food service workers, and custodians—to receive up to four years of seniority or employment credit for time spent on active duty in the U.S. military. Currently, only teaching staff members are eligible for such recognition under state law.
“Educational support professionals are essential to the daily operations of our schools, and many of them have also bravely served our nation,” said Senator Amato. “By advancing S-4428, New Jersey is one step closer to ensuring veterans in these roles receive the recognition and respect they deserve.”
If enacted, this legislation would grant credit for military service performed even before an individual’s employment in a school district.
The full text of bill S-4428 can be found here.
