S 1996 requires hospitals and clinical laboratories in New Jersey to implement standardized procedures for collecting and recording patient demographic data related to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity. It mandates cultural competency training for staff who collect this information and prohibits hospitals from collecting sexual orientation or gender identity data for patients under 18 unless the minor or their parent/guardian voluntarily provides it - data may only be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. The bill specifies exact categories for recording these demographics (e.g., "transgender female-to-male" for gender identity) and requires electronic reporting compatible with state health systems. It applies directly to healthcare providers, hospitals, and clinical laboratories handling patient data under New Jersey law.
New Jersey's S 978 makes it a fourth-degree crime (carrying up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine) to secretly install or use electronic tracking devices or apps to monitor another person's location with intent to facilitate unlawful acts like stalking or harassment. The bill directly affects individuals who secretly track others without consent, such as in cases of relationship surveillance. Key exemptions include parents tracking minor children, caregivers monitoring vulnerable individuals, businesses disclosing location tracking in privacy policies, and employers tracking work vehicles under specific conditions. The law creates a legal presumption that secret location tracking is intended for unlawful purposes, while excluding government entities and certain business/employer uses.
S 2139 expands eligibility for grants from New Jersey's Civic Information Consortium to include local community organizations, media groups, and technology-based organizations collaborating with member universities. It requires grantees to demonstrate mutual partnerships with community and university participants, provide matching funding (10% of grant amount), and avoid tax-exempt status requirements. The bill mandates tracking progress through periodic meetings and final reports on activities, while requiring grantees to post a public statement on their website confirming consortium funding. This directly affects community groups, media outlets, and universities working on projects improving civic information access, particularly for underserved low-income and minority communities.
S 2940 establishes the Office of Cybersecurity Infrastructure within New Jersey's Executive Branch to manage state cybersecurity policies and infrastructure. The office, led by a Governor-appointed Director reporting directly to the Governor (not the Treasury Department), will create cybersecurity policies for all state agencies, secure digital systems for public-private interactions, and develop AI integration guidelines for public and private institutions. It affects all state departments, agencies, and entities interacting with residents digitally, requiring them to coordinate with the new office. The office must publish annual reports on cybersecurity operations and maintain a public website with operational details.
This bill provides a $3 million supplemental appropriation to New Jersey's State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. The funds are designated for specific operational needs including advanced training, equipment, vehicle purchases, software licenses, and staff mental health support to combat online child exploitation. The bill addresses rising incidents of internet-based child abuse, noting increased risks during events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and due to limited federal funding. (Note: The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was already covered by another enacted bill, P.L.2025, c.331.)
This bill (S 1674) prohibits public libraries in New Jersey from entering contracts with publishers or distributors that include specific restrictive terms for digital books and audiobooks. It blocks provisions that would limit libraries’ ability to: loan materials to patrons, set loan periods, make preservation copies, use digital security tools, or share contract terms with other libraries or the state. Violations are treated as consumer fraud under New Jersey law, and contracts containing banned terms are unenforceable. The law applies only to new contracts signed after its effective date, leaving existing agreements unaffected.
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 1675 establishes New Jersey's Advanced Transmission Technologies Workforce Development Program (ATT Program) within the Department of Labor. The program trains electrical engineers and utility workers to install and manage advanced transmission systems, directly affecting these workers and students in career technical education. Key provisions include creating job training linked to infrastructure projects, using community agreements to connect training with jobs, and retraining existing workers to meet industry demands. The program will leverage state and federal funds while requiring annual reports on its effectiveness to the Governor and Legislature starting in 2027.
SJR 50 is a New Jersey joint resolution urging Congress to pass the "Do Not Disturb Act." It highlights that Americans received 2.1 billion spam/scam calls monthly in 2023 (wasting 195 million hours), and notes a 2021 Supreme Court ruling narrowed existing anti-robocall protections under the TCPA. The resolution requests Congress enact the proposed "Do Not Disturb Act," which would expand protections against robocalls, combat AI-driven scams, and reduce costs for call-blocking technology. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but formally asks federal lawmakers to act.
This bill requires transportation network companies (like Uber and Lyft) operating in New Jersey to send electronic notifications to riders within 48 hours when their account information (such as password, email, or phone number) is changed, or when their account shows unusual ride patterns. It also mandates that companies provide 24/7 access to a live customer service representative via digital, phone, or electronic means to help riders resolve account issues or dispute unauthorized charges. The bill applies directly to TNC riders in New Jersey and requires companies to annually submit compliance descriptions to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. These provisions aim to improve transparency and customer support for riders using transportation network services.
