Committee advances bill to excuse absences for students attending military recruitment activities and MEPS appointments

The Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee released S2457, which would permit excused absences for students participating in college visits, visits to postsecondary technical institutions and military recruitment-related activities. Committee amendments clarify that there is a cumulative total of three excused absences per school year for military recruitment activities.

Lou Sylvester, a member of the Kittatinny Regional School Board, testified in support and recounted the case of a student who required multiple visits to the military entrance processing station (MEPS) during senior year, missing school for required processing and evaluations. Sylvester said excused absences for those activities would ease anxiety and help recruits complete both academic and enlistment requirements.

Supporters on record included the New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars, the New Jersey American Legion, the New Jersey School Boards Association, and regional labor council representatives. Committee members noted the bill may also be reviewed by Budget & Appropriations for fiscal or operational impacts; a motion to release the bill (as amended) passed on roll call.