Bill Would Extend Twin Placement Rights to Preschool
New Jersey legislation would let parents of multiples request shared or separate preschool placements, advancing to the governor's desk.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Child Care
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A New Jersey bill sponsored by Assemblyman Greg McGuckin and Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia would extend classroom placement rights for parents of multiples to public preschool programs. The legislation advanced to the governor's desk in late October 2026.
Why it matters
Current state law lets parents of multiples in public kindergarten through eighth grade request same or separate classrooms, but no comparable right applies to preschool lotteries and open enrollment. The bill would apply to school district preschools, Head Start programs and licensed child care providers across New Jersey.
The bill is sponsored by Assemblyman Greg McGuckin (R-Ocean) and Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia (R-Sussex/Morris/Warren) and was sent to the governor in late October 2026. Its status beyond that point has not been reported.
The players
Greg McGuckin
Assemblyman McGuckin, a Republican representing Ocean County, is a sponsor of the bill.
Dawn Fantasia
Assemblywoman Fantasia, a Republican representing parts of Sussex, Morris and Warren counties, is a co-sponsor of the bill.
The details
Parents could ask that multiples be treated as a single unit during preschool lottery systems or open enrollment. The push was prompted in part by Brick Township mother Jackie Anderson, whose identical twin daughters were split when only one was accepted into a district preschool through a lottery.
Timeline
2008: State law gave parents of twins and other multiples a greater voice in classroom placement decisions.
Late October 2026: The bill advanced to the governor's desk awaiting action.
Legal Context
The bill builds directly on New Jersey's 2008 law that gave parents of twins and other multiples a greater voice in classroom placement decisions. It would extend that same right to the preschool level, which the earlier statute did not cover.
If enacted, parents of twins or other multiples in New Jersey could request shared or separate preschool placements instead of having children split by a lottery. The change would reach public preschools, Head Start programs and licensed child care providers statewide.
The takeaway
Families with multiples should watch the governor's action on this bill, since it would determine whether preschool placement options match those already available for older grades. Parents facing a lottery split can ask their district how multiples are currently handled.
Further reading
Explore more on Child Care for related coverage of preschool access and placement policies.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WRNJ Radio.
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