New Jersey S 2606: Directs Secretary of Higher Education to establish Legislative Youth Council and select institution of higher education in this State as host; makes changes to council's structure to provide flexibility in activities and operations.

Bill Text

S2606 

SENATE, No. 2606 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

� 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Senator VIN GOPAL

District 11 (Monmouth)

SYNOPSIS

���� Directs Secretary of Higher Education to establish 
Legislative Youth Council and select institution of higher education in this 
State as host; makes changes to council's structure to provide flexibility in 
activities and operations.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT 

���� Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative 
Counsel.

�� 

An Act concerning the New Jersey Legislative Youth Council, 
amending P.L.2021, c.398, and repealing sections 6 through 9 of P.L.2021, c.398. 

���� Be It 
Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of 
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� Section 2 of P.L.2021, 
c.398 (C.52:13GG-2) is amended to read as follows:

���� 2.��� The Legislature finds 
and declares that:

���� a.���� Engagement and 
participation by our youth in civic life are essential to maintaining the 
strength of our democracy, but the youth of the United States may not believe 
that they have a substantive voice in their government or the opportunities to 
share their perspectives and opinions at the highest levels of our government. 

���� b.��� The unique perspectives 
and valuable insights of the youth of this country are essential to ensuring 
that investments made by the government for programs and services for those 
youth are effective and efficient.

���� c.���� Many state legislatures 
and governors have created youth councils that have proven to be an 
effective means of understanding the perspectives and opinions of the youth of 
the state, leading to more effective and efficient policies, programs, and 
services for those youth.

���� d.��� This State 
historically has sought to involve youth at the highest levels of government, 
including through a 1995 Youth Advisory Council to the Governor, established by 
Executive Order No. 34 (Whitman). 

���� e.���� The creation of 
a new youth council in this State that can advise both the New 
Jersey Legislature and State policymakers in the Executive Branch will 
further develop an underutilized source of leadership in communities throughout 
this State and will be beneficial for the State and its resident youth.

(cf: P.L.2021, c.398, s.2)

���� 2.��� Section 3 of P.L.2021, 
c.398 (C.52:13GG-3) is amended to read as follows:

���� 3.��� [There is 
established] 
a.� The Secretary of Higher Education shall establish a New Jersey 
Legislative Youth Council for the purpose of providing a forum for the youth of 
this State to gain access to and knowledge of policymaking, and to participate 
in the democratic process [; 
to advise the Legislature and its committees, commissions, and task forces on 
the perspectives, opinions, needs, development, and welfare of the youth of the 
State; and to advise the Legislature and its committees, commissions and task 
forces on the most effective and efficient policies, programs, and services 
that the State could provide for the youth of this State.� The council shall 
research, analyze, discuss, and make specific recommendations in the areas of 
civics education; drugs and substance abuse; emotional and physical health; 
employment and economic opportunities; environmental protection; gun violence 
and school safety; homelessness and poverty; mental health; safe environment 
for youth; sexual harassment and violence; youth services; and youth bias and 
hate crimes.

���� In each two-year term of the 
New Jersey Legislature, the council shall submit, in writing, a series of 
policy recommendations to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the 
General Assembly, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of 
the General Assembly.� The series of policy recommendations shall be made 
available online to the public.

���� The council may express its 
position publicly on legislation pending before the New Jersey Legislature that 
is directly relevant to the youth of this State]. 

���� b.��� The Secretary of 
Higher Education shall identify an institution of higher education located in 
the State to host, develop, supervise, and provide administrative support to 
the council.� 

���� The institution of higher 
education shall appoint a coordinator who shall oversee the council, in 
consultation with the Secretary, when appropriate.� The coordinator shall 
receive an annual stipend in an amount to be determined by the Secretary.

���� The coordinator may select 
and invite qualified persons who are considered subject matter experts to 
impart their knowledge, provide guidance, and assist the council members in 
researching and analyzing issues that the members determine to be of 
significance for the youth in this State.� The coordinator may also work with 
State policymakers to arrange for meetings, observation opportunities, and 
presentations that will allow for members to experience first-hand the 
policymaking pro