M. Teresa Ruiz

Frequent topics at a Senate hearing on the Department of Education budget included school reopenings, spending of federal aid and the delayed assessments.

Students in special education programs would be eligible for an extra year of services if they are supposed to ‘age out’ before mid-2022, under a proposed bill.

Rules for adult-use recreational marijuana, which voters green-lighted in a Nov. 3 referendum, now await Gov. Phil Murphy's signature.

Hallucinogenic ‘magic mushrooms’ were added to marijuana decriminalization legislation by a Senate committee. The bill is listed for a final vote Monday.

In response to lawsuits seeking refunds fromcolleges, lawmakers take up bills limiting responsibility to do that – and maybe grant immunity from liability.

The newly introduced would reduce strong penalties enacted during the "War on Drugs," which lawmakers say targeted the black community.