Consumer Affairs

This bill (S 3237) requires all televisions in New Jersey state-owned or leased buildings - such as courthouses or government offices - that are accessible to the public or state employees to display closed captioning for any programming that offers it. It defines "closed captioning" as the on-screen display of audio text and applies to all state agencies, including departments and commissions. The requirement does not apply to televisions manufactured before the bill’s effective date that cannot support closed captioning. The goal is to improve accessibility for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing in public-facing state building environments.

This bill requires health clubs in New Jersey to provide written contracts that clearly state the total payment obligation upfront and disclose any security (like bonds or deposits) held to protect members. It limits health club service contracts to a maximum of three years and gives buyers a three-day window to cancel contracts without penalty by phone, mail, or online. If canceled within this period, members must receive a full refund within 30 days. The bill also mandates that contracts include specific cancellation notices in bold type, detailing how to cancel and the refund timeline.

This bill amends New Jersey's "Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act" to explicitly exempt rugs and fabrics intended solely for use inside vehicles from its regulations. The change clarifies that the law's definition of "carpet" does not cover interior vehicle materials such as those used in automobiles, vans, buses, aircraft, and light-duty trucks. By making this distinction, the legislation ensures that vehicle interior textiles are not subject to restrictions on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that apply to other floor coverings. This adjustment affects manufacturers and suppliers of automotive textiles by excluding them from the act's compliance requirements.

This New Jersey bill would require consumer reporting agencies to provide consumers with three free credit reports annually upon request, replacing the current one free report per year. It directly affects New Jersey residents who regularly check their credit history, allowing them to monitor their financial information more frequently without cost. The key provision amends state law to increase the annual free report limit from one to three, with no charge for each request within a 12-month period. This change would give consumers greater access to their credit data for financial planning and error detection.

This bill requires all televisions in New Jersey State buildings open to the public or employees to display closed captioning for any programming that supports it. The law directly affects state agencies and their facilities, mandating that visual text be shown on screens to assist hearing-impaired individuals in understanding audio content. While the requirement applies to most state-owned or leased equipment, it excludes older televisions manufactured before the bill's effective date that are technically unable to support captioning. The measure takes effect immediately upon passage, ensuring that accessible viewing options are available in government spaces without delay.