1TRENTON, NJ – A proposed New Jersey law would allow public school students to receive an excused absence when they take part in a musical performance honoring veterans at military funerals, including playing “Taps.”

Assembly Bill 257, introduced by Assemblyman Brandon Umba of the 8th District and co-sponsored by Assemblywomen Murphy and Sawyer, seeks to expand the list of officially excused absences under state education law.

Currently, students may be excused for attending Veterans Day ceremonies or assisting veterans at hospitals or shelters.

The new legislation would add participation in military funeral performances—such as those held by national or state veterans’ organizations—to that list.

Schools would be required to record such absences as excused and omit them from transcri

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