In one paragraph
New Jersey's S 968 (2024-2025 session, as introduced) would make it an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud Act for a person selling goods or services at retail, or operating a place of public accommodation, to use a biometric surveillance system (software that performs facial recognition or other remote biometric recognition) on a consumer, except for a legitimate safety purpose. The bill's statement says violations would carry penalties up to $10,000 for a first offense and $20,000 after. Introduced January 9, 2024 and referred to the Senate Commerce Committee; it died when the 2024-2025 session ended.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill died and did not become law.
Key provisions
- Would supplement the Consumer Fraud Act (P.L.1960, c.39): using any biometric surveillance system on a consumer would be an unlawful practice for a person selling or offering goods or services at retail or any place of public accommodation
- Exception: use for a legitimate safety purpose, meaning any purpose reasonably likely to reduce the risk to the life or safety of any person
- Biometric surveillance system: any computer software that performs facial recognition or other remote biometric recognition
- Facial recognition: an automated or semi-automated process that assists in identifying a person or capturing information about a person based on the face, or that logs characteristics of the face, head or body to infer emotion, associations, activities or location
- Place of public accommodation: any place open to the public offering goods or services to a consumer, including entertainment or sports venues
- Per the bill's statement, violations would be punishable by a monetary penalty up to $10,000 for a first offense and $20,000 for subsequent offenses, with possible cease and desist orders, punitive damages, and treble damages and costs to the injured party
- Status: introduced January 9, 2024 and referred to the Senate Commerce Committee; no further action; died at the end of the 2024-2025 session. As drafted, it would take effect immediately
Latest legislative action
Jan 9, 2024. Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee
Sponsors
| Name | Role | District |
|---|---|---|
| Kristin Corrado R | Sponsor | SD-040 |
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