TRENTON, NJ — A new bill introduced in New Jersey, titled the “Protecting Legally-Present Youngsters’ Limited Educational Resources (PLYLER) Act,” seeks to require students who are not U.S. citizens, legal immigrants, or in the process of obtaining legal status to pay tuition to attend public schools in the state.
The bill was presented by New Jersey Assemblyman Paul Kanitra (R-Ocean County).
The bill, introduced during the 2024–2025 legislative session, mandates that school districts condition student enrollment on documentation proving legal status. Children unable to provide such proof would be admitted only if their parents or guardians pay tuition, which must range from a minimum of $1,000 per year to the district’s per-pupil cost. Payment would be required in full before the first day of attendance.
Supporters of the bill argue that the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Plyler v. Doe — which guarantees free public education for all children, regardless of immigration status — has placed undue financial strain on New Jersey taxpayers. According to the bill’s statement, New Jersey schools educated approximately 28,000 undocumented children in 2019, at a significant cost to the state.
“This legislation aims to challenge the outdated Plyler decision and prioritize resources for legally present students,” Kanitra’s bill says.
Under the PLYLER Act, boards of education would also be required to report the number of tuition-paying students in their district and the total amount of tuition collected annually. The legislation amends several sections of existing law to align with its provisions.
