New Jersey 222nd Legislature Status: Introduced 4 D cosponsors

A 1982 — Requires business using text-based chat to offer transcription of chat to consumer.

Last action — REP/ACA REF ACE

  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed General Assembly
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been introduced in the General Assembly. Introduced January 13, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee referral and hearing.

Prognosis

Advancing 34% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • Introduced

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 4 sponsors

    3 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (4 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

Businesses must provide chat transcriptions to consumers.

The bill requires businesses that use text-based chat to offer a transcription of the chat to consumers. This aims to ensure clear communication and accessibility for customers.

What this means for you
  • Consumers: This means you can receive a written record of your chat interactions with businesses.

Summary

Text-based chat-requires business offer transcription of chat to consumer

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

26 added · 24 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amended bill now specifies that a person who violates its provisions will face a civil penalty of $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for any subsequent offense, assessed per day of the violation. This follows the prior phrasing that characterized violations as unlawful practices under the consumer fraud act without detailing specific penalties. Additionally, the amendment includes a provision stating that these civil penalties will be collected by the director in a summary proceeding, providing clarity on enforcement.

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A1982 ASSEMBLY, No.
A1982 1R [First Reprint] ASSEMBLY, No.
  CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT      Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
  CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT      As reported by the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee on June 4, 2026, with amendments.
   An Act concerning text-based chat support and supplementing P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.).         Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
   An Act concerning text-based chat support and supplementing 1[P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.)] Title 56 of the Revised Statutes1.
       Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
     “Business entity” means any natural or legal person, business corporation, professional services corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, business trust, association, or any other legal commercial entity organized under the laws of this State or any other state or foreign jurisdiction.       “Chat” means any tool used by a business entity to provide real-time, text-based communication with a consumer.       “Transcript” means a typed or printed verbatim record of a chat.
     “Business entity” means any natural or legal person, business corporation, professional services corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, business trust, association, or any other legal commercial entity organized under the laws of this State or any other state or foreign jurisdiction.
     “Chat” means any tool used by a business entity to provide real-time, text-based communication with a consumer.
     “Transcript” means a typed or printed verbatim record of a chat.
     c.     A violation of the provisions of this section shall be an unlawful practice and a violation of P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.).         2.    This act shall take effect immediately.      STATEMENT        This bill requires a business entity that uses text-based chat to communicate with consumers to offer an option to obtain a transcription of the chat at the conclusion of the interaction.       Under the bill, the business entity is required to provide clear and conspicuous notice informing consumers of the option to obtain a transcript of the chat.       A violation of the bill’s provisions is an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act, punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense.
     c.     1[A violation of the provisions of this section shall be an unlawful practice and a violation of P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.)] A person who violates the provisions of this section is subject to a civil penalty of:
In addition, violations may result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured party.
     1) $500 for a first offense on the first day of the violation;
and      2) $1,000 for a second or subsequent offense per day of the violation.
     The civil penalty shall be collected by the director in a summary proceeding before a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to the provisions of the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.).
     d.    The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety may, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section1.
       2.    This act shall take effect immediately. 
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Action History

  1. REP/ACA REF ACE

  2. INT 1RA REF ACO

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 116 not signed on · 1 voted No

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (116)

116 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 116 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does A 1982 do?
Text-based chat-requires business offer transcription of chat to consumer
Who sponsors A 1982?
A 1982 is sponsored by Morales, Carmen Theresa (Democrat), Bagolie, Rosaura (Democrat), Sampson IV, William B. (Democrat), and Quijano, Annette (Democrat).
What is the current status of A 1982?
This bill has been introduced in the General Assembly. Introduced January 13, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track A 1982?
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