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Read. Follow. Verify.New Jersey bill bars public colleges from requiring COVID-19 and monkeypox vaccines for remote students
Last action · January 13, 2026: Introduced, Referred to Assembly Higher Education CommitteeSponsor: Gerry Scharfenberger
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What This Bill Would Do
Public institutions of higher education in New Jersey are prohibited from requiring COVID-19 or monkeypox vaccinations for students who attend entirely remotely, under a newly introduced Assembly bill.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
students who attend remotely
public institutions of higher education
Colleges and universities are barred from enforcing COVID-19 or monkeypox vaccine mandates for students who have no physical presence on campus.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this bill apply to students who occasionally visit campus?
Which vaccines are covered under this bill?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
njleg.state.nj.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance50How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy65Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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