This bill (A 481) upgrades penalties for cyber-harassment targeting public servants or their family members, raising it from a fourth-degree to a third-degree crime. It also establishes the Office of Cyber-Harassment Support within the Department of Law and Public Safety to provide victim assistance, develop educational programs, and coordinate with law enforcement and schools on cyber-harassment prevention. Key provisions include creating accessible reporting systems for victims, requiring school-based cyber ethics education, and collaborating with social media platforms to address harmful content. Note: The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, after being superseded by enacted legislation (P.L.2025, c.303).
This bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Human Services to expand the MyNJHelps online platform into a single centralized system for all state public assistance programs within 365 days. It mandates that the platform become the sole online hub where applicants can access information about, apply for, and check the status of all state programs - including SNAP, WFNJ, NJFamilyCare, healthcare, food assistance, housing aid, and more - using one unified application. The bill specifies that existing program administrators (like those for Medicaid or food stamps) will remain unchanged, but the platform must enable all agencies to share applicant data securely for eligibility decisions. This directly affects low-income New Jersey residents applying for state benefits by simplifying access to multiple programs through a single digital portal.
The "Stop Social Media Censorship Act" (A 530) creates a private legal claim for New Jersey users (18+) of major social media platforms (over 75 million subscribers, publicly accessible, non-affiliated with single religion/politics) whose political or religious speech is deleted, blocked, or algorithmically suppressed. If a platform violates this, users can seek $75,000 minimum statutory damages per incident, plus actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees. The law explicitly excludes content involving calls for violence, obscenity, court orders, or minor-user bullying from protected speech. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee.
This New Jersey Senate Resolution (SR 71) urges Congress and the President to enact the federal "Kids Online Safety Act." It does not create new laws but formally requests federal action to address social media's impact on minors. The resolution cites research linking social media use to rising mental health issues among children (ages 8-17), noting increased screen time and documented mental health risks. It specifically calls for the federal act to promote data safety, limit addictive design features, expand parental controls, and prevent harmful content for minors. As a non-binding resolution, it directly affects federal lawmakers but does not change current policy.
This New Jersey bill (S 3702) restricts AI-generated content in election campaigns. It bans publishing AI-created campaign materials (like ads, social media posts, or phone messages) within 90 days of an election, requires clear labeling of all AI-generated content with "Artificial intelligence was used in creating this message," and prohibits deceptive AI content falsely portraying opponents. The law applies to campaigns, political committees, and individuals funding election communications. Violations are punishable as a fourth-degree crime, carrying up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine.
S 3412 would require certain social media platforms in New Jersey to display a black box warning about mental health risks to users, similar to health warnings on tobacco products. The bill targets platforms primarily designed for social connection (like Facebook or TikTok) that have users in New Jersey, excluding services focused on news, entertainment, or e-commerce. This requirement is based on findings that youth social media use exceeding three hours daily doubles risks of depression and anxiety, and platforms are aware of these harms. The warning must be displayed on platforms meeting the bill's definition of "covered social media platforms," affecting all users of those services in the state.
This bill grants executors or administrators of an estate legal authority to manage the online accounts (including social media, email, and microblogging services) of a deceased person. It directly affects estate executors, families, and digital service providers by clarifying that these officials can access, delete, or administer such accounts without requiring additional court orders in all cases. The key provision explicitly permits these actions where otherwise legally authorized, aligning with similar laws in Oklahoma and other jurisdictions. The bill does not create new requirements but clarifies existing authority under probate procedures.
S 3413, the "New Jersey Kids Code Act," requires online services likely accessed by minors to implement age-appropriate design standards. It directly affects major platforms with significant child users (like social media and gaming services), mandating default privacy settings that protect minors and prohibiting the use of their data for harmful purposes. Key provisions include designing products with children’s developmental needs in mind, preventing exposure to harmful content, and ensuring data practices don’t negatively impact minors’ well-being. The law adopts New Jersey’s version of an "Age-Appropriate Design Code" to create safer online experiences for children.
This New Jersey bill, the "Social Networking Safety Act" (A 2532), prohibits transmitting sexually offensive communications (like sexual solicitations or obscene material) to children under 13 or teens aged 13-15 who are at least four years younger than the sender. It also bans abusive communications (threats, intimidation, or harassment) directed at anyone under 18 on social media. Violators face civil penalties: $1,000 plus fees to the platform operator per violation, and up to $5,000 plus fees or actual damages (including medical costs, counseling, or emotional harm) to the victim. Social media platforms must quickly suspend users who violate these rules upon receiving reports, or face liability unless they have a clear, accessible reporting system for such violations.
This is a procedural resolution (not a bill), not a law. It urges Congress and the President to enact the federal "Kids Online Safety Act" (KOSA), which would require social media platforms to prevent addictive design features, expand parental controls, and block harmful content for minors. The resolution directly affects children and teens (ages 8-17) by advocating for federal policy changes to address mental health concerns linked to social media use. It has no binding effect and serves only as a symbolic request to federal lawmakers.
