An Assembly bill, written to take on kids giving up on school, COVID-19 and some of the nation's toughest restrictions that continue to have an impact in New Jersey now heads to Gov. Phil Murphy's desk.

Chronic absenteeism increased after the pandemic with about 100,000 students in 2021 disconnected from school, officials say. Bill 398/Senate Bill 3080 would use $200,000 so Murphy can assign someone to run a special task force.

The bill also looks at getting more students to consider college. For more information on Bill A398/S3080, visit njleg.state.nj.us.