This bill requires data brokers operating in New Jersey to register with the Division of Consumer Affairs annually ($100 fee) and submit detailed information about their data collection, privacy policies, opt-out options, and data breach history. It directly affects businesses that collect and sell personal identifying information without a direct relationship to the individual, such as those selling health data. The key provision bans data brokers from selling, sharing, or transmitting physical health records (covering treatments for physical conditions) or behavioral health records (covering mental health, substance use, or emotional disorder care). The law establishes a public registry of registered brokers to increase transparency about how sensitive health data is handled.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Health (DOH) to provide SNAP, WFNJ, and WIC recipients with clear information about card skimming, cloning, and fraud prevention. It mandates that DHS and DOH distribute written materials at enrollment/recertification points, post digital/paper resources online and at offices, and establish processes to replace benefits stolen through these fraud methods using federal or state funds. The bill also directs both departments to coordinate with card vendors to implement security measures like chip technology and transaction alerts. Recipients must report fraud to DHS/DOH or law enforcement, with annual reports tracking fraud incidents and benefit replacements.
This bill proposes creating a Deep Fake Technology Unit within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety to address AI-generated deceptive videos and audio. The unit will provide law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts with technical training, evidence analysis, and expert testimony to investigate "deep fakes" - manipulated media designed to falsely depict people speaking or acting. It requires the unit to issue annual reports detailing its work, technological trends in deep fake creation, and policy recommendations. The bill appropriates $2 million from the state budget to fund the unit's operations, which would be established within six months of enactment. The bill is currently pending before the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
This bill requires New Jersey's Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell, Office of Information Technology, and New Jersey Big Data Alliance to develop a strategic plan for the state's cyberinfrastructure. The plan must assess current systems (including data storage, networks, and expertise), create a roadmap for a shared data cloud and high-speed network, and address workforce development and cybersecurity. It specifically directs the creation of an open data repository to improve collaboration between government, academia, and industry. The agencies must submit the completed plan to the Governor and Legislature within one year of the bill's effective date. This is a procedural directive focused on planning, not new regulations or funding.
S 1590 requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to create a public internet database for government records from all state and local agencies. It directs the department to establish rules for which records must be included, and whether they should stay in their original format or be converted to a more accessible "user-friendly" format - considering both public ease of use and agency costs. The bill appropriates $10 million from the State General Fund to implement this database. This affects all state and local government entities that maintain records, making their information more publicly accessible online.
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Government Transparency
This bill requires government agencies in New Jersey to redact specific personal details - such as name, address, social security number, and email - from public records when the information pertains to minors. It directly affects minors whose personal data appears in government records (e.g., licensing applications, administrative files) and the agencies responsible for maintaining those records. The key mechanism mandates that agencies must remove these identifiers before making records publicly accessible, aligning with existing confidentiality protections for sensitive information. The bill amends New Jersey’s public records law to explicitly exempt minors’ personal details, ensuring their information is not disclosed in routine public access. This change applies broadly across all government agencies, not limited to specific contexts like hunting licenses.
S 325 establishes a grant program to expand rural broadband access in New Jersey, using $2.5 million in federal funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The program, managed by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, provides grants up to $75,000 per project to qualified organizations (like companies, nonprofits, or local governments) that build or improve broadband infrastructure in "unserved areas" (defined as locations lacking 25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload speeds). Applicants must contribute 25% private funding and prioritize projects addressing these underserved areas. The bill appropriates federal funds directly into a dedicated grant fund and requires annual reporting on program outcomes.
SR 18 is a non-binding Senate resolution urging states within the PJM Interconnection region (including New Jersey and 12 other states plus D.C.) to require data centers to source electricity from new zero- or low-emission energy sources. It does not create new regulations but calls on state governments to adopt policies addressing data centers' growing energy demands, which currently consume about 4% of U.S. electricity and are projected to reach 9% by 2030. The resolution cites concerns about grid strain, noting data centers use 10-50x more energy than typical offices and could double demand by 2030. It emphasizes clean energy sources like solar and wind as scalable solutions to support grid reliability and climate goals.
This bill establishes a new Artificial Intelligence Apprenticeship Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor to create training opportunities in AI technology, data analytics, and automation. It also creates a tax credit for employers hiring qualified AI apprentices, allowing them to claim up to $5,000 per apprentice (half of wages paid, capped at $5,000) for taxable years beginning in 2026. To qualify, employers must hire unskilled or semi-skilled apprentices for at least 20 weeks in a program meeting state and federal standards, covering roles like generative AI development. The program will partner with AI companies and educational institutions to design training pathways. The tax credit applies to both corporate business tax and gross income tax.
This bill prohibits New Jersey's public pension and annuity funds from investing in companies that collect or manipulate personal data for immigration status verification without a warrant or court order. It directly affects the state's $100+ billion pension funds (covering public employees) and companies providing immigration-related surveillance services. The law requires the State Investment Council to hire a privacy expert to identify such companies and divest all related investments by January 1, 2028, while following fiduciary standards. Annual reports must track divestment progress and identify remaining prohibited holdings.
