Clarifies crime of unlawful access concerning certain password protected communications in electronic storage.
This bill clarifies New Jersey's criminal law around accessing password-protected electronic communications, such as emails stored online. It makes it a crime (fourth degree) to access such communications without knowing the password or having express consent from at least one party, even if the device was left unlogged. For commercial gain or malicious intent, the crime escalates to third degree, carrying harsher penalties (up to 5 years in prison). The law explicitly states that leaving a device unlogged does not create implied consent for others to access the communications.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026
Last action Jan 13, 2026
Floor votes
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Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
1
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0
Committee
0
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Jim Holzapfel
RRepublican
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