Technology in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 203: Requires redaction of certain personal identifying information on vehicle accident reports.

S 203 requires that certain personal identifying information - such as names, addresses, and contact details - be redacted from vehicle accident reports before they are made public. This bill directly affects drivers, law enforcement agencies, and insurance companies, as they must now remove this information when releasing accident reports to the public. It amends New Jersey's Government Records Act (P.L.1995, c.23) and vehicle accident reporting statutes (P.L.2001, c.404) to mandate this redaction. The policy change ensures sensitive personal data is not publicly accessible, protecting individuals from potential privacy risks like identity theft. This is a concrete procedural update to how accident reports are handled in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2074: Makes certain changes to public access of government records.

S 2074 amends New Jersey's public records law to clarify what constitutes a "government record" and specify confidential information that cannot be disclosed. It defines key terms like "custodian" and "government record," while listing detailed exemptions - including personal data (SSNs, home addresses), trade secrets, attorney-client communications, security procedures, medical examiner photos, and certain sensitive records like sexual harassment complaints. The bill directly affects residents seeking government records by establishing clearer boundaries for public access under New Jersey's Open Public Records Act. It does not create new exemptions but refines existing ones to improve transparency and protect sensitive information. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Tags Government Transparency

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2204: Provides supplemental appropriation of $20 million for loan redemption program and tuition reimbursement program for certain teachers of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

This bill allocates $20 million in supplemental funding to support STEM teachers in New Jersey public schools through two programs. It provides eligible new STEM teachers (those completing educator preparation programs or advanced STEM degrees in 2021-2022) with either: 1) Upfront loan redemption covering 25% of eligible student debt (up to $20,000), or 2) Upfront tuition reimbursement covering 25% of eligible tuition costs (up to $20,000). Recipients must sign a contract committing to four years of teaching in a New Jersey public school STEM classroom and maintain teaching certification. Failure to complete the service period requires repayment as a loan. The funding modifies existing programs under P.L.2019, c.401 for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education Teachers

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1029: Requires collection of data by health insurers regarding health insurance claims and decisions made using automated utilization management systems.

This bill requires New Jersey health insurers to collect and publicly report detailed data on claims processed through automated systems, directly affecting insurers and their covered patients. Insurers must annually disclose statistics on claim denials (including appeals outcomes and specialty-specific denial patterns), rejection rates by medical reviewers, and average review times on their websites. A key provision penalizes insurers that deny 20% or more of claims without justification by requiring them to refund denied service costs to affected patients. The bill also mandates that medical directors reviewing claims include denial rates and consumer assistance instructions on all denial notices. These requirements aim to increase transparency in automated claim review processes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Insurance

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 18, 2026

S 1291: Expands "Daniel's Law" to prohibit disclosure of personal identifying information of victim support advocates and victim support care providers.

This bill expands New Jersey's "Daniel's Law" to protect victim support advocates and victim support care providers by prohibiting the online disclosure of their home addresses and unpublished phone numbers. It creates a process where authorized representatives (like family members or legal agents) can request removal of this personal information from the internet. Violating this prohibition could result in criminal charges, ranging from a fourth-degree crime for reckless disclosure to a third-degree crime for intentional violations. The law directly affects professionals working with crime victims who face safety risks from public exposure of their personal contact details.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1316: Establishes NJ Fusion Technology Industry Commission.

S 1316 establishes the New Jersey Fusion Technology Industry Commission to advance fusion energy and technology development within the state. The commission, composed of 11 members including university leaders and fusion industry experts, will create policies, oversee funding for innovation grants, and support business incubation facilities at New Jersey's public and private universities (like Rutgers and NJIT). It directly affects higher education institutions, fusion technology businesses, and researchers by providing mechanisms for grant funding, technology transfer, and commercial application support. The bill aims to position New Jersey as a hub for fusion technology through strategic public-private partnerships.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Technology

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 448: Upgrades to third degree crime for cyber-harassment of public servant or family member of public servant; establishes Office of Cyber-Harassment Support in DLPS; appropriates funds.

This bill (S 448) upgrades penalties for cyber-harassment targeting public servants or their family members, elevating it to a third-degree crime (a higher-level criminal charge) from the previous fourth-degree classification. It creates a new Office of Cyber-Harassment Support within the state Department of Law and Public Safety to coordinate education, victim support, and prevention programs statewide. The office will work with law enforcement, schools, and social media platforms to improve reporting systems, develop awareness campaigns, and provide counseling for victims. The bill also appropriates state funds for the office’s implementation and includes provisions for parental accountability if minors commit cyber-harassment. (Note: The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.303.)

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Social Media

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3033: Requires online portal to report law enforcement officer misconduct; establishes duty to report by law enforcement officers.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create an online portal for law enforcement officers to report misconduct by other officers. Officers must report within 72 hours if they witness unjustifiable force (per N.J.S.2C:3-7), civil rights violations (per P.L. 2003, c.3), or any criminal offense committed by another officer. The portal also allows anonymous reporting of non-criminal policy violations, with submissions using random identifiers instead of personal details. This directly affects all law enforcement officers in the state who observe misconduct.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement Policing Digital Government

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1957: Prohibits teaching staff members from inputting information and conversations regarding individually identifiable health information into third party software applications managed by entities engaging in partisan political activity.

This bill prohibits New Jersey school teachers and staff from entering students' or families' personal health details - including medical history, genetic data, or vaccination records - into third-party apps managed by political groups engaged in campaigning, fundraising, or electioneering. It defines "individually identifiable health information" broadly to include any health-related data that could reveal a person's identity. The law would take effect immediately for the next school year, applying to all public school staff. It does not restrict data use within school systems but specifically targets political third-party platforms.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 852: Expands EDA small business loan program to include certain broadband telecommunications service providers.

This bill expands New Jersey's small business loan program to include rural broadband telecommunications service providers certified by the Board of Public Utilities. It adds these providers to the list of eligible borrowers under the program, specifically targeting those offering broadband in rural areas (defined as municipalities with populations under 30,000 and low density). The change allows these providers to access loans for capital purchases, employee training, and new hires, aligning them with other small business categories. The bill amends existing law to include this new eligibility category without altering other program requirements.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications Tags Rural Communities

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