New Jersey Bill Would Establish Transfer Ombudsperson

The New Jersey General Assembly is considering A1315, which would create a New Jersey Transfer Ombudsperson within the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. (An identical bill is pending in the state senate.) The bill would authorize the Ombuds to assist students and public institutions with credit-transfer disputes, serve as an impartial third-party mediator upon request, review the statewide transfer agreement, and issue an annual public report. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Higher Education Committee. 

As proposed, the Ombuds' role differs from IOA standards. Although the bill references impartial assistance and mediation, it does not expressly articulate independence, confidentiality, informality, or neutrality as defining characteristics of the office. Alignment with IOA standards would depend on subsequent implementation. It should be noted that a substantially similar measure was introduced in the prior legislative session but did not advance. (A.B. 1315, 222nd Leg., Reg. Sess. (N.J. 2026).)