NJ A989: Makes supplemental appropriation of $144.2 million to provide additional Outcomes-Based Allocation funding to four-year public institutions of higher… Verified

Assembly Bill A989 requires the New Jersey Attorney General to arrange for independent, third-party testing of the five most commonly used facial recognition systems within 60 days of the bill's effective date. The testing will assess the accuracy of these systems under operational conditions, specifically examining variations in accuracy based on race, skin tone, ethnicity, gender, and age. Following the completion of testing, the Attorney General must submit a report to the Legislature detailing the results within 30 days. This bill emphasizes the need for algorithmic accountability in facial recognition technology, which has faced scrutiny for potential biases. While there are no specified penalties for non-compliance in the text, the requirement for reporting results indicates a level of accountability. The bill's immediate effect upon enactment underscores the urgency of addressing these technological concerns in New Jersey.