In one paragraph
New Jersey's A799 would bar anyone who develops or deploys an artificial intelligence system in New Jersey from advertising or representing that the system is, or can act as, a licensed mental health professional. A violation would be an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud Act.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
Developers and deployers of AI systems in New Jersey must not advertise or represent a system as a licensed mental health professional; violations fall under the Consumer Fraud Act.
Key provisions
- Section 1(a): a person who develops or deploys an AI system in New Jersey may not advertise or represent that the system is, or can act as, a licensed mental health professional.
- Section 1(b): a violation is an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud Act (P.L.1960, c.39).
- Section 1(c): defines artificial intelligence in five alternative ways, including a system that performs tasks without significant human oversight, a system designed to think or act like a human, and techniques such as machine learning designed to approximate a cognitive task.
- Section 1(c): a licensed mental health professional is a person licensed under listed boards and committees, including the State Boards of Psychological Examiners, Social Work Examiners, Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners and Medical Examiners and the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
- Section 2: takes effect on the first day of the sixth month after enactment; the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs may take preparatory action beforehand.
Latest legislative action
Jan 13, 2026. Introduced, Referred to Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Sponsors (showing 5 of 6)
| Name | Role | District |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Hutchison D | Sponsor | HD-004 |
| David Bailey D | Sponsor | HD-003 |
| Luanne Peterpaul D | Sponsor | HD-011 |
| Margie Donlon D | Sponsor | HD-011 |
| Michael Venezia D | Sponsor | HD-034 |
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error