S 2198 New Jersey Senate · 2024-2025 Regular Session

Provides that certain fraudulent arbitration agreements are invalid.

This bill invalidates arbitration agreements when a business fraudulently creates a contract with a consumer - such as by opening accounts without consent using stolen personal information. It directly affects consumers who were victimized by such fraud and businesses that misuse consumer data to force arbitration. The key provision states that arbitration agreements become unenforceable if the underlying contract was fraudulently established, preventing businesses from compelling arbitration in these cases. This change ensures consumers can pursue claims in court rather than behind closed doors in arbitration. The bill responds to incidents like Wells Fargo’s unauthorized account creation scheme but applies broadly to any business engaging in similar fraud.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 9, 2024 Last action Jan 9, 2024
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Jan 9, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Teresa Ruiz
Teresa Ruiz
DDemocratic
NJ
29