Technology in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 4016: Concerns social media privacy and data management for children and establishes New Jersey Children's Data Protection Commission.

This bill establishes the New Jersey Children's Data Protection Commission and sets new privacy standards for social media platforms serving users under 18. It requires platforms to conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments before launching any online service, product, or feature likely to be accessed by children, documenting risks related to data management practices. The law defines "personal information" broadly to include names, addresses, device identifiers, photos, videos, and location data, while also prohibiting automated profiling of children based on their personal information. Social media platforms must comply with these requirements for any service that reasonably expects to be accessed by children, based on factors like marketing targeting, design elements appealing to youth, or audience composition data.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Social Media

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3780: Permits one-time use of virtual or remote instruction for students attending public school used as polling place on certain election day.

This bill allows school districts in New Jersey to offer one-time virtual or remote instruction to students attending public schools that are designated as polling places for a special election on April 16, 2026. The measure permits districts to count the day of remote instruction toward the state's 180-day school attendance requirement, provided the virtual learning program follows existing approval standards and students have access to necessary technology. School superintendents will have the authority to implement this instruction after consulting with the board of education and notifying all stakeholders. The provision applies only to this specific election and does not require districts to combine in-person and remote instruction on that day.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Tags Elections

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 3998: Requires senior housing applications be made available by mail and email.

This bill requires senior housing providers in New Jersey to make application forms available by mail or email upon request from prospective residents. It directly affects organizations that rent, lease, sell, or resell age-restricted dwelling units, ensuring they provide copies of required forms in the format requested by applicants. The legislation also directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to create necessary rules to implement these requirements. This change aims to improve accessibility for seniors who may not have easy access to online applications or in-person collection methods.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Renters Tags Seniors

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3789: Establishes certain safety requirements concerning transportation network companies.

This bill establishes new safety requirements for transportation network companies, commonly known as ride-sharing services, operating in New Jersey. It directly affects ride-sharing platforms and their drivers and passengers by mandating enhanced safety measures to address concerns about sexual misconduct and unauthorized drivers. The legislation amends existing state law to clarify definitions of key terms such as "transportation network company," "prearranged ride," and "authorized driver profile," ensuring consistent application of safety standards. These provisions aim to strengthen oversight and accountability for ride-sharing services without specifying particular operational changes beyond the updated legal definitions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 3826: Requires MVC to operate call center to assist with online transactions.

This bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to operate a telephone call center within the state to help residents navigate its website and complete online transactions. The call center must be staffed during weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and offer services in both English and Spanish. The commission may also provide online tutorials and recorded messages to reduce the need for live staff. Additionally, the agency must publish quarterly reports on call center performance, including wait times and call volumes, on its website.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4637: Authorizes Department of Agriculture to designate "School of Agriculture for Next Century," to support education, research, and workforce development in advanced agricultural technologies.

This bill authorizes New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to designate an institution of higher education as the "School of Agriculture for the Next Century" to focus on education, research, and workforce development in advanced agricultural technologies. The designated school must demonstrate expertise in areas such as drones, artificial intelligence, gene-editing, robotics, and precision farming, while satellite schools may be added to expand access across the state. The legislation encourages academic pathways that allow students to transfer coursework between community colleges and the designated school, but does not create new institutions or require additional state funding.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 19, 2026

A 4769: Requires certain State agencies to establish expedited approval and permitting procedures for artificial intelligence data centers powered by small modular nuclear reactors.

This bill requires New Jersey state agencies to create faster approval and permitting processes for artificial intelligence data centers that use small modular nuclear reactors. It directly affects the Board of Public Utilities, Department of Community Affairs, and Department of Environmental Protection, which must establish these expedited procedures within 12 months of the bill taking effect. The key provisions mandate streamlined site approvals, construction plan reviews, electrical interconnection processes, and environmental permits for projects combining AI data centers with on-site nuclear power. The bill aims to accelerate the development of new AI data centers powered by small modular reactors while also allowing their use at existing facilities.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Nuclear Transmission Artificial Intelligence

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 3883: Requires boards of education to adopt policy on use of surveillance systems with artificial intelligence capabilities.

This bill requires New Jersey school districts and charter schools that use surveillance systems with artificial intelligence capabilities to create and adopt a written policy governing their use. The policy must describe the surveillance technology in place, explain what data is being collected, outline how that information will be used, detail access procedures in compliance with existing privacy laws, and mandate public signage notifying individuals that AI surveillance is in operation. Additionally, the bill requires these policies to be distributed to parents and guardians, ensuring families are informed about how their children's data is being monitored and processed.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 3811: Requires Governor's Office of Volunteerism to promote and support volunteerism for compliance with certain eligibility requirements for NJ FamilyCare and SNAP recipients; appropriates $200,000 to DHS, Office of Volunteerism, and DOLWD.**

This bill directs New Jersey's Department of Human Services to help residents meet new work and community engagement requirements for NJ FamilyCare health insurance and SNAP food assistance programs. It requires the state to create or update online tools and mobile apps that connect eligible individuals with approved volunteer opportunities and simplify the process of submitting proof of completed hours. The legislation specifically targets non-disabled adults aged 19-64 for NJ FamilyCare and expands SNAP work requirements to include people up to age 64 and those with dependent children over 14. By improving access to volunteer resources and streamlining documentation, the bill aims to help beneficiaries comply with federal mandates while maintaining their access to these safety-net programs.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 3829: Provides consumer protections under certain telecommunications service provider contracts.

This New Jersey bill establishes consumer protections for subscribers of cable television, landline telephone, and Internet access services. It requires telecommunications providers to waive early termination fees, refund activation charges, and reimburse previous termination fees if a subscriber experiences more than three service outages within a 30-day period. The legislation also mandates that providers track outage reports and notify affected customers of their eligibility for these protections. Violations of these requirements would be treated as unlawful practices subject to existing state penalties.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

All technology bills