Technology

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3386: Establishes "Virtual Currency Kiosk Consumer Protection Act."

This bill establishes New Jersey's "Virtual Currency Kiosk Consumer Protection Act" to regulate businesses operating physical terminals that exchange cash for digital currency (like Bitcoin) or vice versa. It directly affects virtual currency kiosk operators (e.g., companies running crypto exchange machines) and the consumers using them. Key provisions require operators to provide clear, written risk disclosures to customers *before* any transaction, including material risks of virtual currency use, and to comply with federal anti-money laundering rules (Bank Secrecy Act/USA PATRIOT Act). The bill also mandates operator record-keeping for enforcement and restricts public disclosure of sensitive operational data while requiring basic operator information (name, address) to be publicly available.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires risk disclosures for virtual currency kiosks, regulating consumer protection in digital transactions per support indicators.85% confidence

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1726: Requires MVC to accommodate walk-in services on certain days.

This bill would require the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide walk-in services at all agency locations at least two full days per week. It mandates that all walk-in customers be served on a first-come, first-served basis for every MVC service. The policy specifically aims to assist residents without reliable internet access or email who cannot use online scheduling systems. The bill would take effect three months after enactment, requiring MVC to implement these changes.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill ensures access for residents without internet, promoting digital equity by providing walk-in services as an alternative to online systems.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3841: Makes supplemental appropriation of $500,000 for Main Library Alliance.

This bill appropriates an additional $500,000 from the General Fund to the Main Library Alliance for library services. The funding supports the nonprofit organization’s work providing shared resources, technology, and programming to over 50 public libraries across five counties (Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Union, and Warren). The Main Library Alliance serves more than 700,000 patrons in 100+ municipalities through its member libraries. The bill directly affects these libraries and their communities by enabling continued access to library services and resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $500k from General Fund for library services, increasing public funding for essential community resources.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds library technology services including internet access and digital resources for public use, aligning with expanding access and digital equity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 770: Requires certain disclosures of intentionally deceptive audio or visual media.

This New Jersey bill (A 770) requires producers of deceptive audio or video content - such as AI-generated deepfakes - to include clear disclosures when distributed online in the state. It mandates specific disclosures based on media type: watermarks for videos, written text at the bottom of screens for visual content, and verbal statements for audio. The law applies to content falsely depicting living or deceased people’s actions without consent, if it risks causing harm like election interference or reputational damage. Exemptions cover artistic works (e.g., parodies, historical reenactments), minor edits to authentic recordings, and content with already prominent disclaimers.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates disclosures for deceptive AI media (deepfakes) to prevent harm, aligning with data privacy and consumer protection regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1362: Requires modernization of all State blanks, forms, documents, and applications to incorporate new standards for collection of information about sex, gender, and sexual orientation.

This bill requires all New Jersey state agencies to update public forms, documents, and applications to modernize how they collect information about sex, gender, and sexual orientation. It mandates that such data only be collected when vital for health services, makes it optional for statistics with clear labeling, and requires sensitive questions that allow non-binary options and align with LGBTQ advocacy best practices. Individuals (or their parents/guardians for minors) retain full control over disclosing this information, and state agencies must verify federal requirements before including such questions on forms. The bill directly affects all state agencies and every New Jersey resident who interacts with state forms, aiming to replace outdated practices that conflated sex/gender and excluded non-binary identities.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates modernized data collection practices for gender/SO information, requiring opt-in with clear labeling and non-binary options, directly advancing data privacy protections per topic description.95% confidence

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1852: Requires certain notifications and free credit reports for customers following breach of security of personal information within business or public entity.

This bill requires businesses and public entities that handle personal information of New Jersey residents to notify affected customers promptly after a security breach involving unauthorized access to their data. It mandates written or electronic notice within the "most expedient time possible," including details about compromised information and steps to protect accounts, while eliminating the current option for "substitute notice" (like website postings) for large-scale breaches. Businesses must also cover the cost of providing customers with free credit reports from consumer reporting agencies for six months following a breach, with payment for up to 12 months of reports. The law applies to any entity maintaining computerized records with NJ residents' personal data and requires prior reporting of breaches to the State Police before customer notification.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates breach notifications and eliminates substitute notice, strengthening data privacy protections for personal information security breaches.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3299: Establishes Distraction Free Schools Grant Program; appropriates $2 million.

This bill creates a $2 million grant program for New Jersey public schools to develop policies limiting student cell phone and social media use during school hours and school events. Schools receiving grants must create age-appropriate policies that include exceptions for emergencies, health needs, and accommodations for students with disabilities, while promoting alternatives like phone lockers and network restrictions. Participating schools must report annually on how the program affects academic performance, behavior, and student well-being, with the state later evaluating the program's effectiveness compared to non-participating schools. The program directly affects public schools seeking funding to address distractions, not individual students or parents.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates $2 million for grants to develop school policies limiting cell phone/social media use, aiming to improve learning environments and student focus in K-12 education.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts student cell phone/social media use in schools via grants, limiting technology access in educational settings per bill's policy requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Social Media

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 829: Requires school districts to implement policy pertaining to use in school setting of medical devices that require utilization of district's internet.

This New Jersey bill requires school districts to create policies for students using internet-connected medical devices (like remote monitoring tools) prescribed by healthcare providers. The policies must be developed within 90 days and cover parental information sharing, strict data privacy protections, and staff training. School districts must also maintain necessary technology infrastructure, with funding available through a new "Medical Device Technology Fund" grant program. Districts must annually report student usage numbers, implementation challenges, and suggestions for improvement to the state education commissioner. The bill directly affects school districts, students with medical devices, and their parents/guardians.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates Medical Device Technology Fund for school infrastructure and mandates data privacy policies, directly supporting educational access for students with medical needs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school policies for medical devices with data privacy, staff training, and new grant funding to support student access to healthcare technology.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires strict data privacy protections for medical devices on school networks, mandates staff training, and creates funding for infrastructure - directly advancing data privacy and cybersecurity in technology use.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Telehealth Data Privacy

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3931: Removes requirement that local units may only provide broadband telecommunication service via wireless community service network.

This bill removes a restriction that previously required local governments (counties, municipalities, and other local units) to provide broadband services only through "wireless community networks." It allows local units to choose any method - wireless, wired, or other infrastructure - to build, operate, or contract for broadband telecommunications service. The change gives local governments greater flexibility in how they deliver high-speed internet access to residents and businesses within their jurisdictions. This is a direct policy change affecting all New Jersey local governments seeking to expand broadband infrastructure.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill removes restriction forcing wireless-only broadband, enabling flexible deployment (wired/wireless) to expand internet access, directly advancing technology policy goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1111: Requires Department of Treasury to review and approve digital payment platform.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Treasury to review and approve a blockchain-based digital payment platform designed for legal, licensed businesses without access to traditional banking services (often operating cash-only). The platform would enable cashless transactions with a 1:1 virtual currency-to-dollar exchange, managed through an immutable blockchain ledger that records all business transactions. Businesses must obtain state approval to use the platform, which would also handle sales tax payments to municipalities and support regulatory compliance and audits. The law aims to expand digital commerce access for underserved businesses while ensuring security and transparency.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnables blockchain-based digital payments for cash-reliant businesses, promoting digital equity and expanding access to cashless transactions through state-approved infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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