This New Jersey bill establishes the Safe Remote Learning Program within the Department of Education to support public schools (including charter and renaissance schools) providing remote instruction due to the pandemic. It requires schools to set up facilities meeting health/safety standards, equipped with necessary technology (like connected devices and internet access), and staffed during all hours. The state will reimburse schools for facility costs using federal pandemic relief funds first, then state funds if needed. Schools must prioritize student access for those eligible for free meals or with essential worker parents, and allow nearby facility access if space is limited.
S 864 would create a state database to store digital copies of veterans' standard discharge documents (like DD-214 forms). Veterans or their families can voluntarily submit these documents for digital storage, with originals returned promptly - no fee charged for submission. The database would only be accessible to public agencies verifying eligibility for veteran benefits, with strict rules prohibiting misuse (fines up to $2,000 for violations). This aims to prevent lost documents that currently complicate veterans' benefit applications.
New Jersey's S 3137 requires all state and local government entities - including municipalities, counties, school districts, state departments, and public universities - to conduct a cybersecurity review of their systems. Each entity must evaluate current security, identify high-risk issues, propose modernization strategies for networks and software, and suggest policy changes. The head of each entity must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 45 days of the bill's effective date. This bill directly affects all public entities responsible for managing digital infrastructure across New Jersey.
This bill makes it a crime to disclose someone's personal information without consent when it creates a risk of physical harm, stalking, or severe emotional distress. It specifically targets disclosures that cause a "close relation" (like family, household members, or close associates) to fear for their safety or experience mental anguish. Exceptions include reporting suspected crimes to police or sharing information about public officials' misconduct in good faith. Violations are punishable as a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine), with harsher penalties if injury or stalking occurs.
This New Jersey bill (S 2972) protects judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, child protective investigators, and their immediate families by making it illegal to post their home addresses or unpublished phone numbers online without authorization. It creates a new criminal offense for "doxxing" these public servants (posting personal information to harass them) and increases penalties for threats against them. The law requires online platforms to remove such information upon request from authorized officials like court clerks or U.S. Marshals. Violations could lead to criminal charges and stronger restraining orders for affected individuals.
This bill requires CATV companies (cable providers) seeking new municipal franchises or renewing existing ones to provide free broadband Internet service and necessary equipment (like routers) to public libraries, fire stations, public schools, police stations, and other municipal buildings. Public libraries must receive business-class broadband with bandwidth matching their specific needs. The requirement applies only to CATV companies operating under municipal franchises approved after the bill's effective date. It does not affect existing service agreements or require free broadband for private entities.
This New Jersey bill (S 329) makes it a crime to use artificial intelligence or deepfake technology to impersonate someone for fraudulent purposes. It specifically adds AI-generated impersonation to the state's identity theft law, covering cases where someone falsely depicts another person through deepfakes to obtain benefits, avoid payments, or cause harm. Penalties range from a fourth-degree crime (small-scale, under $500) to a second-degree crime (large-scale, $75,000+ or five+ victims). The law also requires courts to correct false records created by such fraud and may order restitution to victims.
This bill creates a $10 million grant program requiring New Jersey municipalities to develop recreational sports and STEM programs for children. Municipalities must apply for a dollar-for-dollar match, covering costs like equipment, staff, and program materials, with priority given to free or low-cost programs in public spaces like libraries. It directly affects local governments and children by funding activities such as robot-building and 3D printing, aiming to improve physical/mental health and workforce readiness. Participating municipalities must report annual program details and participation data to the state for public review.
This bill (S 2175) requires major social media companies (with at least 5 million global users) to provide New Jersey residents a 24-hour toll-free phone number to report account fraud, such as unauthorized access. Companies must publish this number in security emails sent to NJ account holders and on their platform's homepage or help page. Failing to comply would violate New Jersey's consumer fraud law, risking fines up to $20,000 per violation. The bill was withdrawn after being approved as part of P.L.2025, c.352.
This bill creates the Emerging Technology Urban Grant Program, administered by New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA). It provides financial assistance to qualifying emerging technology businesses for cloud computing services if they locate or maintain headquarters in designated urban technology zones (including cities like Newark, Trenton, and others meeting specific population criteria). To qualify, businesses must commit to keeping headquarters in these zones for five years, have 100 or fewer full-time employees, and demonstrate recent growth (20% employee increase or revenue growth). The grant covers the actual cost of eligible cloud services, aiming to spur job creation and economic revitalization in targeted urban areas.
