Technology in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 9, 2026

A 4519: Requires electric public utilities to obtain written consent and provide written disclosure prior to installing smart meters.

This bill requires New Jersey electric utilities to obtain a customer's written consent and provide a written disclosure before installing smart meters. The disclosure must detail what data the meter collects (like hourly usage patterns), how it will be used, and whether it might be shared with third parties. It directly affects residential customers and utilities, ensuring customers are informed about privacy implications before installation. The bill defines smart meters as devices that track detailed electricity use in real time, enabling features like remote service control, but mandates transparency about data handling prior to installation.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3011: Prohibits the use of drones by law enforcement entities.

This bill prohibits New Jersey law enforcement agencies from using drones for surveillance or other law enforcement activities, affecting police departments and officers statewide. Exceptions include drone use authorized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for counter-terrorism threats or by the forest fire service for wildfire monitoring (with a 350-foot altitude limit). It also bans drones for enforcing building and land-use regulations under state codes. Violating the ban can lead to civil lawsuits and the exclusion of illegally gathered evidence in court.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing Emerging Technology

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3623: Establishes Fusion Energy and Technology Incentive Program in EDA to encourage use of power plants for fusion energy and technology purposes; authorizes funds in Global Warming Solutions Fund to support fusion energy and technology facilities.

S 3623 establishes a Fusion Energy and Technology Incentive Program through New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to support fusion energy development. It provides tax credits to two groups: (1) power plant owners who lease space to fusion energy or technology companies, and (2) the companies themselves operating facilities on power plant sites. The program uses funds from the Global Warming Solutions Fund to cover these tax credits, targeting facilities that generate electricity using fusion energy or develop fusion technology. This policy directly affects power plant owners and fusion technology companies in New Jersey by offering financial incentives to repurpose power plant sites for fusion energy projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4193: Requires Business Action Center to establish "Entrepreneur Learner's Permit Pilot Program" for certain designated industries.

This bill requires New Jersey's Business Action Center to create a two-year "Entrepreneur Learner's Permit Pilot Program" that reimburses first-time entrepreneurs for state filing, permitting, or licensing fees when starting businesses in designated industries like biotechnology, financial services, and environmental technology. The program prioritizes women-owned and minority-owned businesses and limits total reimbursements to $500,000 annually. It mandates the Business Action Center to establish eligibility criteria, administer the program, and submit a report evaluating its effectiveness - including business formation rates, economic impact, and participant feedback - by the second fiscal year. The pilot program is designed to lower startup costs for new business owners in targeted sectors without altering existing state regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Technology

Tags Small Business

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3071: Requires EDA to include social media development services in services offered through Small Business E-commerce Support Program.

This bill requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to add social media development services to its existing Small Business E-commerce Support Program. The program currently provides e-commerce and digital marketing consulting to eligible small businesses (like restaurants, retail stores, and personal care businesses in commercial locations), and this bill mandates that social media platform development assistance be included alongside current offerings like website and digital marketing support. It applies only to this specific pilot program under the Main Street Recovery Finance Program, established by the 2020 Economic Recovery Act. The change would take effect immediately upon enactment, but the requirement ends when the pilot program terminates.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Social Media

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jul 23, 2026

A 4085: Establishes "Fair Price Protection Act."*

New Jersey Assembly Bill A4085 prohibits businesses from using consumers' personal data to set prices for goods or services. It specifically bans pricing strategies that vary prices based on biometric data, genetic information, or protected class data (like race, gender, or disability) through methods such as personalized algorithmic pricing or surveillance pricing. The law applies to all business entities selling merchandise or services within New Jersey and imposes fines up to $10,000 for first violations and $20,000 for repeat offenses, plus potential penalties like cease-and-desist orders. Businesses may still offer standard discounts, promotions, or loyalty programs, which are explicitly exempted from the ban.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4436: Expands "Daniel's Law" protections; requires Office of Information Privacy to establish portal for prohibiting disclosure of personal information by private entities and establishes penalties for failure to comply.

This bill expands New Jersey's "Daniel's Law" to protect the home addresses and unpublished phone numbers of public officials - including judges, law enforcement officers, child protective investigators, legislators, prosecutors, and their immediate family members. It requires the Office of Information Privacy to establish a portal where authorized individuals (like family members or legal representatives) can request that private businesses stop disclosing this information online. Private entities that fail to comply face criminal penalties: reckless violations are classified as fourth-degree crimes, while intentional violations are third-degree crimes. The law aims to prevent harassment and safety risks by restricting the online sharing of sensitive personal contact details.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Data Privacy

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3232: Restricts genetic testing of newborn and crime victim DNA; permits DNA information to be obtained pursuant to warrant or court order.

This bill requires explicit permission (informed consent) before obtaining genetic information from DNA samples, directly affecting individuals, newborns, crime victims, and witnesses. Exceptions include law enforcement using DNA for criminal investigations (with strict limits on victim/witness DNA), existing newborn screening programs, paternity cases, and DNA database submissions. It also restricts sharing genetic data without consent, except in specific legal circumstances like court orders, criminal proceedings, or federal identification purposes. Additionally, it mandates that individuals must be notified when genetic testing occurs and outlines new regulations for consent procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Victims' Rights

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3833: Establishes Distraction Free Schools Grant Program; appropriates $2 million.

This bill establishes a $2 million grant program for New Jersey public schools to promote limited student use of cell phones and social media during school hours and school events. Schools applying for grants must submit plans to reduce device distractions, while the Department of Education will develop best practices covering age-appropriate policies, emergency exceptions, and device storage options. Participating schools must annually report on how the program affects academic performance, behavior, and student well-being, with the Department compiling statewide results. The program targets all public schools in New Jersey, with grants awarded competitively based on regional diversity and need.

Topics ✓ Education ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Social Media

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3204: Requires law enforcement agencies to obtain court order prior to use of imaging surveillance device.

This bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to obtain a court order before using imaging surveillance devices that can see inside buildings (like through walls using radar or infrared). It directly affects police departments and the residents whose homes or properties might be scanned. To get the court order, law enforcement must submit a written application detailing the target, purpose, location, duration, and proof that other investigative methods were tried and failed or would be too dangerous. The bill aims to prevent warrantless surveillance by mandating judicial oversight for this technology.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing

All technology bills