TRENTON -- A proposal that would provide key protections for transgender students in New Jersey's public schools earned final approval from state lawmakers Thursday and now heads to Gov. Chris Christie for consideration.

Under the bill (A4652), schools would be expressly told that they are not allowed to force transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that conflict with their gender identity. Instead, schools would be mandated to provide "reasonable alternative arrangements."

Schools would also be required to ensure that transgender students are addressed at school by the name and pronoun they prefer, regardless of whether a legal name change has occurred.

"This bill is vital in New Jersey's journey to becoming a state that has reached full equality for LGBT residents," said Christian Fuscarino, executive director of Garden State Equality, an advocacy organization for the LBGT community.

The legislation comes after President Donald Trump this year rescinded federal guidance from the Obama administration that public schools must let transgender students use the bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their chosen gender identity.

New Jersey school districts are not allowed to discriminate against transgender students under state law, but some schools districts have still tried to stop students from using bathrooms or locker rooms that match their gender identity.

The state Department of Education last year said school districts should pass policies explaining how they handle issues related to gender identity. But the department stopped short of suggesting what those policies should say.

The legislation would require the state education commissioner to send specific guidelines to school districts.

If Christie signs the bill, schools would be told they need to:

Allow students to dress in accordance with their gender identity.

Create confidentiality plans to make sure school employees do not disclose a students transgender or transition status.

Issue school documentation, such as identification cards, that match the student's gender identity.

Let students participate in gym class with the gender that matches their identity.

"These guidelines are needed to ensure that transgender students can safely be themselves without fear of being persecuted," said Assemblywomen Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen), one of the primary sponsors of the bill.

The proposal faced heavy opposition from the New Jersey Family Policy Council, a conservative group that champions family values.

The group is concerned about the possibility of "opposite biological sex access" to student bathrooms and locker rooms and does not think teachers and students should have to use pronouns chosen by transgender students, said Len Deo, president of the organization.

Decisions about transgender policy should be made on the local level, Deo said.

"We believe it should be a local issue between parents, students and the school board," Deo said.

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.