A1646: Establishes timelines for review and approval by Commissioner of Education of annual certified…

[First Reprint] ASSEMBLY, No. 1646 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 222nd LEGISLATURE PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION Sponsored by: Assemblywoman MELINDA KANE District 6 (Burlington and Camden) Assemblywoman ROSAURA "ROSY" BAGOLIE District 27 (Essex and Passaic) SYNOPSIS Establishes timelines for review and approval by Commissioner of Education of annual certified audits submitted by approved private schools for students with disabilities. CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT As reported by the Assembly Education Committee on May 7, 2026, with amendments. An Act concerning annual audits of approved private schools for students with disabilities and supplementing chapter 46 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. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law to the contrary, the Commissioner of Education shall not issue an adverse finding, adjustment, or penalty regarding a review of an annual independent certified audit conducted on behalf of an approved private school for students with disabilities, beyond the following timelines: (1) for an independent certified audit submitted for any school year ending after the effective date of this act, seven years following the date of the submission of the audit; or (2) for an independent certified audit submitted for any school year ending prior to the effective date of this act, seven years following the date of the submission of the audit or 1 [ two ] three 1 years following the effective date of this act, whichever is the later date. b. If the commissioner does not conduct and complete the audit review pursuant to the timelines established in subsection a. of this section, the audit shall be deemed approved for all purposes. 2. This act shall take effect immediately.