New Jersey § 30:4c-26b

§ 30:4c-26b.

a. Whenever the Division of Child Protection and Permanency in the Department of Children and Families places any child in a resource family

home, including a change in a placement following the initial placement, there shall

be a presumption that the child shall remain in the school currently attended by the

child and the child shall remain in that school, pending a best interest determination

as set forth in subsection c. of this section, unless the division determines that

the circumstances provided in subsection b. of this section are present. b. If the division determines that remaining in the present school is not in the best

interest of the child upon consideration of the best interest factors listed in subsection

f. of this section, and would present significant safety concerns or otherwise be

a significant and immediate detriment to the child, the child may be immediately enrolled

in the school district in which the resource family home is located. If the division enrolls the child in the school district in which the resource family

home is located, pursuant to this subsection, the division shall, within two business

days of taking such action, provide notice to the child's law guardian and a parent

or legal guardian, of the new school placement and the basis for such action. If the division determines there exists a credible safety issue for the child if

the location of the school in the resource family's district is disclosed to the parent

or legal guardian, the division shall not include the location of that school or other

information about the identity of the school in the notice to the parent or legal

guardian. c. Except as provided in subsection b. of this section, within five business days

of placement in a resource family home, the division shall make a determination, upon

consideration of the best interest factors listed in subsection f. of this section,

whether the presumption that the child continue to attend the school that the child

currently attends is outweighed by the best interest factors supporting placement

in the school district in which the resource family home is located. In making that determination, the division shall make reasonable efforts to consult

with a parent or guardian of the child, the child, the child's law guardian, a representative

from the school the child attended at the time of removal, and any school district

under consideration for placement. d. If the division's determination, pursuant to subsection c. of this section, is

that it is in the best interest of the child to enroll the child in the school district

in which the resource family home is located, the determination shall remain preliminary

pending the completion of the requirements of this subsection. If the division's determination is consistent with the presumption established pursuant

to subsection a. of this section, the determination shall be deemed conclusive at

the time the determination is made. (1) The division shall immediately transmit a written notice to the child's law guardian

and a parent or legal guardian of the child: (a) advising of the preliminary determination;

(b) providing the basis for the preliminary determination; and (c) that the preliminary

determination shall be deemed conclusive if the division does not receive notice that

an application pursuant to this subsection has been made with the court by the date

indicated on the notice, which date shall be five business days from the date the

notice is transmitted by the division. The child shall remain enrolled in his current school at least until the time allotted

to seek a court review of the preliminary determination is exhausted. (2) Any party may make an application with the court seeking a review of whether the

division's preliminary determination is in the best interest of the child upon consideration

of the best interest factors listed in subsection f. of this section within the time

allotted by the division as specified in the division's notice, which date shall be

five business days from the date the notice is transmitted by the division, unless

the child's law guardian, on behalf of the child, and a parent or legal guardian of

the child agrees, in writing, to waive the opportunity for a court review of the preliminary

determination pursuant to this subsection, in which case the determination becomes

conclusive. Any party who makes an application for court review of the preliminary determination

pursuant to this subsection shall provide simultaneous notice to the division and

all other parties involved in the division's complaint for custody and guardianship. The court shall hear and decide such application in an expedited manner. In any such proceedings, the division shall bear the burden of proof, based on a

preponderance of the evidence, that its determination to enroll the child in the school

district in which the resource family home is located is in the best interest of the

child. If a party makes an application for court review of the division's preliminary determination

pursuant to this subsection, the child shall continue to attend his current school

while the court hears and decides the application. (3) If the division does not receive timely notice pursuant to paragraph (2) of this

subsection that an application has been made for court review within five business

days of the transmittal date of the notice of the preliminary determination, the preliminary

determination shall be deemed conclusive and the division shall implement its determination

as provided in subsection g. of this section. e. (1) At any time during placement of a child in a resource family home, the court

may, upon application by any party to the division's complaint for custody or guardianship,

review the child's school placement upon consideration of the best interest factors

listed in subsection f. of this section, and make appropriate orders regarding school

placement. (2) At any time during placement in a resource family home, the division may reconsider

the child's school placement and make a new determination in accordance with subsection

b. or c. and d. of this section, upon consideration of the best interest factors listed

in subsection f. of this section. f. The factors the division and the court shall consider in making a best interest

determination, as provided in this section, shall include, but not be limited to: (1) safety considerations; (2) the proximity of the resource family home to the child's present school; (3) the age and grade level of the child as it relates to the other best interest

factors listed in this subsection; (4) the needs of the child, including social adjustment and wellbeing; (5) the child's preference; (6) the child's performance, continuity of education, and engagement in the school

the child presently attends; (7) the child's special education programming if the child is classified; (8) the point of time in the school year; (9) the child's permanency goal and the likelihood of reunification; (10) the anticipated duration of the current placement; and (11) such other factors as provided by regulation of the Commissioner of Children

and Families. g. At the time a determination becomes conclusive or upon any subsequent decision

by the court, the child shall either continue to be enrolled in his current school

or shall be immediately enrolled in the new school district, and the mandated student

record shall be provided to the new school district in accordance with applicable

regulations of the State Board of Education. h. The division shall provide transportation for the child to attend school during

the time that a determination is being made or while a court review is pending as

to where the child will attend school and for the subsequent five school days. At such time as a determination is made by the division or a decision is rendered

by the court, the division shall immediately notify the school district where the

child is currently attending school, the school district of residence, and the school

district where the resource family home is located, as applicable. The district of residence shall be responsible for transportation for the child to

attend school, within five days of being notified by the division where the child

will attend school. i. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any public entity to fund

students placed in nonpublic schools by their parents or guardians. j. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the division shall not be required

to identify the school where the child is or will be enrolled to a parent or legal

guardian, if the release of such information would pose a risk to the safety of the

child.