S 1182 requires New Jersey public schools to adopt policies restricting student cell phone and social media use during school hours, on buses, and at school events. The policies must include age-appropriate rules, accommodate students with IEPs, allow emergency phone use, and permit educational use with teacher permission. Schools must also implement network-based restrictions to block social media access on all school-owned devices and networks. The Commissioner of Education will develop guidelines covering storage options, communication protocols, and disciplinary procedures to support implementation. These requirements apply starting the first full school year after the bill's enactment.
This bill (S 2040) creates new criminal penalties for operating drones (unmanned aircraft systems) to assist in committing other offenses. It makes it a crime to use a drone to further a petty disorderly persons offense (4th degree) or any other crime (graded one level higher than the underlying offense). Key provisions include penalties for drones interfering with first responders, operating near correctional facilities without permission, taking wildlife, or violating restraining orders. Upon conviction, the drone, controller, or associated digital device must be forfeited to law enforcement. The bill directly affects anyone using drones to commit or aid in crimes, with specific penalties based on the type of offense involved.
This bill (SCR 63) declares the Division of State Lottery's rule allowing direct online sales of lottery tickets inconsistent with the State Lottery Act. It directly affects the Division of State Lottery (within the Department of Treasury), which proposed this rule in 2022 and adopted it in 2023. The Legislature states the rule violates the Act's prohibition on state agencies acting as "exclusive lottery sales agents" (N.J.S.A. 5:9-11). The resolution requires the Division to amend or withdraw the rule within 30 days or face potential future invalidation by the Legislature.
This bill (S 2956) exempts specific entities and types of personal data from New Jersey's privacy law requirements regarding notification and disclosure of personal data. It directly affects covered entities like healthcare providers under HIPAA, financial institutions under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, insurance companies, state agencies, consumer reporting agencies, and research organizations conducting federally compliant studies. Key provisions remove obligations for these entities to notify consumers or disclose data when handling information already regulated by federal law (e.g., health data under HIPAA, financial data under Gramm-Leach-Bliley, or credit data under FCRA). The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was already enacted as P.L.2025, c.367.
This bill (S 1826) requires online platforms primarily distributing sexually explicit material (defined as "obscene material" under New Jersey law) to verify users are at least 18 years old before accessing such content. It applies specifically to "sexually oriented online entities" where more than one-third of revenue, user accounts, or content consists of obscene material - such as dedicated adult platforms or sites with significant adult content. The law mandates using approved age verification methods, including New Jersey’s driver’s license system, to confirm users’ age before access. It does not apply to general social media or non-explicit content, focusing solely on platforms meeting the defined threshold for obscene material. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
S 125 prohibits state employees, contractors, and state-issued devices (including phones, computers, and tablets) from downloading or using the TikTok app or visiting its website. This applies to all state agencies and entities working with the state, with violations punishable by fines up to $1,000 or six months in jail. The bill includes an exception for law enforcement officers using TikTok in investigations, requiring the Attorney General to create specific guidelines for such use. The law aims to address data security concerns raised by the FBI regarding TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, and potential data access by foreign entities.
S 2129 prohibits knowingly sharing deceptive audio or video (like deepfakes) within 90 days of an election if intended to mislead voters about candidates or election issues. It makes this a crime (4th degree for first offense, 3rd for repeat), with penalties including fines and jail time. The law allows voters or candidates to seek court orders to stop such sharing and recover damages, but includes key exceptions: news reporting, satire, and minor edits with clear disclaimers (e.g., "This contains manipulated images"). Platforms like social media and news outlets are exempt from liability under federal law (Section 230).
S 1464 prohibits businesses in New Jersey from using face recognition or other biometric surveillance technology on consumers at their physical locations, except when they provide clear notice (like a posted sign) and use it for lawful purposes. Businesses must explain their use of such technology to deny access or remove a consumer, and cannot sell or profit from the collected biometric data. If enacted, violations would be unlawful under consumer fraud laws, potentially leading to fines up to $20,000 per offense. The bill directly affects businesses operating physical locations and their interactions with consumers. (Introduced January 13, 2026; pending in Senate Law and Public Safety Committee).
This bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide all vehicle and licensing services - such as driver's license renewals, registration, and vehicle ownership transfers - in person at every MVC agency location. It prohibits the MVC from mandating online service completion or requiring appointments for these services, ensuring walk-in customers can access all services at any location. The bill reverses pandemic-era changes that split agency functions and required appointments, returning to pre-pandemic operations. It directly affects New Jersey residents needing MVC services by eliminating barriers to in-person access. The law takes effect four months after enactment, with the MVC allowed to prepare in advance.
This bill prohibits rental property owners and software companies from using technology that coordinates rent increases across multiple properties. It specifically bans "coordinating functions" where software collects real-time pricing data from multiple landlords, analyzes it with algorithms, and recommends uniform rent prices - effectively enabling tacit price-fixing agreements. The law applies to all residential rental properties (excluding certain facilities) and makes such coordination a violation of New Jersey’s Antitrust Act. Enforcement would occur through existing antitrust mechanisms, with education efforts to inform tenants about suspected violations.
