This bill prohibits New Jersey law enforcement agencies from using drones for surveillance or other law enforcement activities, affecting police departments and officers statewide. Exceptions include drone use authorized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for counter-terrorism threats or by the forest fire service for wildfire monitoring (with a 350-foot altitude limit). It also bans drones for enforcing building and land-use regulations under state codes. Violating the ban can lead to civil lawsuits and the exclusion of illegally gathered evidence in court.
This bill bans businesses in New Jersey from owning, controlling, installing, managing, selling, or offering for sale cryptocurrency ATMs. These are defined as physical, internet-connected kiosks that let users buy, sell, or exchange digital currency using cash, debit, or credit cards. The law directly affects businesses operating such kiosks, prohibiting them under the state's consumer fraud act with penalties up to $20,000 per violation. It targets a surge in fraud - citing FTC data showing $110 million in losses linked to these machines in 2023 - aimed at protecting consumers, especially older adults who face higher risks.
S 3268 prohibits stores, restaurants, and other public venues from using facial recognition technology on customers, except when needed for genuine safety reasons like preventing violence. It defines "facial recognition" as software that identifies people by face or tracks their movements/emotions, and "legitimate safety purpose" as actions that reduce risks to life or safety. Businesses violating this law face fines up to $20,000 per offense or court-ordered penalties. The bill applies to any public place selling goods or services, including entertainment venues.
New Jersey's S 2141 bans businesses from owning, operating, or selling cryptocurrency ATMs within the state. The bill defines a cryptocurrency ATM as a physical kiosk that allows users to buy, sell, or exchange digital currency using cash, debit, or credit cards. Violations would result in fines up to $20,000 per offense, with enforcement under the state's consumer fraud laws. This action responds to Federal Trade Commission data showing crypto ATM scams caused over $65 million in fraud losses in the first half of 2024, disproportionately affecting older adults.
This bill (S 2040) creates new criminal penalties for operating drones (unmanned aircraft systems) to assist in committing other offenses. It makes it a crime to use a drone to further a petty disorderly persons offense (4th degree) or any other crime (graded one level higher than the underlying offense). Key provisions include penalties for drones interfering with first responders, operating near correctional facilities without permission, taking wildlife, or violating restraining orders. Upon conviction, the drone, controller, or associated digital device must be forfeited to law enforcement. The bill directly affects anyone using drones to commit or aid in crimes, with specific penalties based on the type of offense involved.
