A 2818 New Jersey General Assembly · 2024-2025 Regular Session

Prohibits and imposes criminal penalty on disclosure of certain intentionally deceptive audio or visual media within 90 days of election.*

This bill prohibits distributing intentionally deceptive audio or visual media (such as deepfakes) within 90 days of an election if the intent is to deceive voters about a candidate or election. It criminalizes such distribution as a disorderly person offense, punishable by up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The prohibition does not apply if the media includes a clear, visible disclosure (e.g., "This advertisement contains manipulated images or sound") that remains readable throughout video or audible at the start of audio. Registered voters and candidates can seek court injunctions or sue for damages in violation cases. News organizations publishing such media for newsworthy purposes with the required disclosure are exempt from the law.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2024
Committee Review
Oct 2024
General Assembly Passage
Jun 2024
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 9, 2024 Last action Oct 24, 2024
Floor votes · General Assembly Jun 28, 2024

How they voted

6013
Passed · 7 other
Total votes 80
Jun 28, 2024
D Democratic52
52 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican28
8 Yea 13 Nay 7
46% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
4
Committee
8
Oct 24, 2024
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Senate Committee, 2nd Reading
upper
Sep 19, 2024
Committee
Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee
upper
Jun 28, 2024
Lower · Passed
Passed Assembly (60-13-0)
lower
Jun 26, 2024
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
lower
Jun 26, 2024
Committee
Recommitted to Assembly Budget Committee
lower
Jun 24, 2024
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
lower
May 20, 2024
Committee
Reported out of Senate Committee with Amendments and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
lower
Mar 4, 2024
Committee
Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments and Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee
lower
Mar 4, 2024
Committee
Transferred to Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
lower
Jan 9, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee
lower
3 primary · 11 co-sponsors

Sponsors