Environment
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
StateNew JerseyReported
A 1319: Requires public institution of higher education to adopt withdrawal policy permitting refund for certain extenuating circumstances.
Cody Miller
A 1319 status: Reported — Reported and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee (updated Sep 17, 2026).
Source
LegiScan
Confidence
High
Analysis basis
LegiScan full bill text
01
What this bill does
Official summary alongside an AI-generated read on where it stands and why.
Overall Score
75OUT OF 100
Score:75/100 civic fit
Risk:Low Risk
Impact:Moderate Impact 60/100
Constitutionality95%
Bipartisan80%
Public opinion90%
Bill summary
What changes
Requires public colleges in NJ to adopt mandatory refund policies for students withdrawing due to extenuating circumstances (e.g., medical, mental health).
Who is affected
Students at public higher education institutions and the administrative departments within those institutions.
Requirements and enforcement
Institutions must define 'extenuating circumstances,' establish criteria for 'inhibited ability,' and refund a proportional amount of tuition, room, and board.
Costs and funding
Direct institutional costs from refunded tuition/fees; potential secondary costs from administrative implementation.
When it takes effect
Applies to the first full academic year following enactment.
Potential benefits
Provides students in crises with essential financial relief and standardizes health-related withdrawal protections.
Risks and tradeoffs
Potential for institutional variation in policy definitions and potential pressure to raise fees to cover refund costs.
What is still unknown
The specific criteria institutions will use to define 'inhibited ability' and how exactly they will reconcile these with pre-existing complex federal financial aid regulations.
02
Impact analysis
✦ AI analysisModeled effects across six domains, estimated from bill text and comparable legislation.
Economy
Mixed / Neutral
60%
Benefits
- Provides financial relief to students facing crises
- Reduces student debt accumulation for unused services
- Standardizes consumer protections across public institutions
Risks
- Reduces predictable revenue streams for institutions
- Increases administrative compliance costs for colleges
- May necessitate tuition hikes to offset refund liabilities
Society
Positive outlook
80%
Benefits
- Supports student mental health and wellness during recovery
- Reduces the economic impact of medical emergencies on families
- Ensures equity in withdrawal options for all public college students
Risks
- Criteria for 'inhibited ability' may vary between institutions
- Requires students to provide sensitive medical documentation
- Potential for disputes regarding refund eligibility
Technology Industry
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
Civic Accountability
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
Public Health & Safety
Positive outlook
85%
Benefits
- Encourages students to prioritize health and safety over academics
- Removes financial barriers to seeking necessary mental health treatment
- Supports early intervention during injury or hospitalization
Risks
- Potential for inconsistent application of 'mental health' criteria
- Administrative pressure on students to prove health status
- Risk of stigma during documentation review
03
How trustworthy & consequential it is
Sourcing already shown above, this is what the analysis found worth flagging.
Source
LegiScan
Official bill text or data from LegiScan.
Confidence
High
Information is complete and verified.
Analysis basis
LegiScan full bill text
Source used for this bill's analysis.
Source note
Institutions may increase auxiliary fees to mitigate the financial impact of mandated refunds.
Analysis scope
The bill does not specify standardized criteria for 'inhibited ability,' leaving definition to individual institutions.
04
Where it stands
Official record- IntroducedComplete
- CommitteeCurrent
- Chamber votesUpcoming
- Final agreementUpcoming
- GovernorUpcoming
- EnactedUpcoming
05
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06
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