TRENTON – Gov. Chris Christie conditionally vetoed a bill that would require the state to pick up the education costs of students living in domestic violence or transitional living centers because the latter isn’t clearly defined.
Bill A3164 would require that the state pay the school costs of any student who lives for more than one year in a domestic violence shelter or transitional living facility located outside the student’s district of residence.
Christie, in his veto message, said more clarity is needed on the definition of such centers.
“In order to ensure clear and appropriate implementation of this legislation, I recommend amending the bill to authorize the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Department of Children and Families, to promulgate rules that would, at a minimum, identify the facilities, or types of facilities, that constitute a ‘transitional living facility,’” Christie wrote. “This is an ambiguous term that is not defined in the bill, statute, or regulation.”
He added, “Further, I recommend clarifying that this act would apply to those educational costs incurred beginning in the 2012-2013 school year.”
The bill was sponsored by Assemblyman Jay Webber and Assemblyman Anthony Bucco.
