N.J. Stat. tit. 18A, ch. 47

N.J. Stat. tit. 18A, ch. 47
in effect

N.J. Stat. § 18A:47-1 Establishment; purposes

18A:47-1. The board of education of a school district may establish and maintain a special school of instruction for the purpose of restraining, instructing, and caring for dependent and delinquent children under 16 years of age, committed to the school by the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part. Such special school shall be deemed to be a part of the public school system of the school district in or by which it has been established. L.1967, c.271; amended 1991,c.91,s.234.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:47-2 Location of school outside of district

If, in the judgment of the board of education, it will best serve the purposes of such special school, the board may purchase land and locate the school outside the school district. L.1967, c.271.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:47-3 Approval by state board of establishment and location.

Such special school of instruction shall not be established, nor its location determined without the approval of the state board. L.1967, c.271.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:47-4 Pupils to be admitted; court order

18A:47-4. Such special school shall receive, restrain, and instruct dependent delinquent children, and children under the age of 16 years, committed to such school by the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part pursuant to the "New Jersey Code of Youth Justice," P.L.1982, c. 77 (C.2A:4A-20 et seq.). If in the judgment of the court the best interests of a child demand that the special school have the entire charge and control of the child, the court may take the custody of the child from its parents or guardian and give it, for an indeterminate period, to the board of education having control of the special school. When in the judgment of the board the conduct of the child has so improved that it should be permitted to attend the regular public schools, it may return the child to the custody of its parents or guardian. Any child, under the age of 16 years, arrested for any cause except murder or manslaughter, and pupils habitually truant or incorrigible, may, by order of the Family Part be held in the school until final judgment. L.1967, c.271; amended 1991,c.91,s.235; 2025, c.35, s.38.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:47-5 Commitment to school in another district.

18A:47-5. Children who are dependent and delinquent, or who are habitually truant or incorrigible, or who shall be found by the court to require special instruction, and who reside in a school district in which there is no such special school of instruction may be committed to such a special school of instruction maintained in another district. The board of education of the receiving district shall be entitled to collect and receive from the board of education of the sending district such sum for the tuition and maintenance of such children as the boards shall agree to, but not in excess of the actual cost per pupil as determined according to rules of the commissioner approved by the State board. The board of education of the sending district shall issue an order, payable from any funds available for current expenses, for such sum in favor of the secretary or treasurer of school moneys, as appropriate, of the school district maintaining the school to which the child shall have been committed. L.1967, c.271, amended L.2010, c.39.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:47-6 Character of training

Each such special school of instruction shall be conducted for the well-being and safe custody of children committed to it, and for their training and education for good citizenship and self-support. There shall be ample ground for farming and gardening, and shops and other means for industrial training shall be provided. The school shall, as far as possible, be conducted as a home. There shall be a superintendent and the teachers and other employees necessary for the proper conduct of the school. The superintendent shall reside in the school. Teachers in such school shall be required to hold such certificates to teach as are required of teachers in the public schools. L.1967, c.271.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:47-7 Rules; courses of study

Rules for the government and management of each such special school of instruction, and the course or courses of study to be pursued therein shall be prescribed by the board of education of the school district in which the school is established. The rules and courses of study, and any change therein, shall be submitted to the state board for approval. L.1967, c.271.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:47-8 Contribution by parents toward the support of delinquents

Whenever a person is committed to such a special school the judge making the adjudication shall inquire into the family conditions and circumstances surrounding the delinquent. If in his opinion the parents of the delinquent are of sufficient ability to maintain him, the judge may include in the order of commitment an order requiring them to pay to the board of education of the district such sum toward the support, maintenance, and clothing of the delinquent, as in the discretion of the judge may be proper. The order for payment may be enforced by attachment as for a contempt of the court. L.1967, c.271.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:47-9 Use of moneys available for general fund expenses

18A:47-9. Any money available for the general fund expenses of the public schools in a district in which such a special school of instruction has been established may be used for the general fund expenses of the school. L.1967, c.271; amended 1993,c.83,s.21.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:47-10 Funds for building and equipment

Moneys for the purchase of land, the erection of buildings, the enlarging or repairing of buildings, and the purchase of furniture and other necessary equipment for such special schools of instruction, shall be appropriated in the same manner as moneys are appropriated for the erection and furnishing of schoolhouses. L.1967, c.271.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:47-11 Annual report to state board

At the end of each school year a special report for each special school of instruction shall be made to the state board in the manner and form prescribed by it. L.1967, c.271.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:47-12 Reports by superintendent

18A:47-12. The superintendent of a special school of instruction shall, when required, present to the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part a report concerning the conduct and maintenance of the school and the number of pupils therein and such other information as the court shall require. L.1967, c.271; amended 1991,c.91,s.236.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:47-13 Construction of chapter

18A:47-13. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to alter or diminish any of the powers conferred on the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part by any other legislation. L.1967, c.271; amended 1991,c.91,s.237.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026