WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 1 REQUIREMENT TYPE
How Is This Bill Enforced
Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.
As used in P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill): "Artificial intelligence companionArtificial intelligence companion"Artificial intelligence companion" or "AI companion" means a system using generative artificial intelligence designed to simulate a sustained human or human-like relationship with a user by: (1) retaining information from prior interactions, prior user sessions, or user preferences to personalize the interaction and to facilitate ongoing engagement with the AI companion; (2) asking unprompted or unsolicited emotion-based questions that go beyond a direct response to a user prompt; and (3) sustaining an ongoing dialogue concerning matters personal to the user.Section 1" or "AI companion" means a system using generative artificial intelligenceGenerative artificial intelligence"Generative artificial intelligence" means a technology system that: (1) is trained on data; (2) is designed to simulate human communication through text, audio, or visual communication; and (3) generates non-scripted outputs with limited or no human oversight.Section 1 designed to simulate a sustained human or human-like relationshipHuman or human-like relationship"Human or human-like relationship" includes, but is not limited to, intimate, romantic, or platonic interactions or companionship, and the simulation of intimate, romantic, or platonic interactions or companionship.Section 1 with a userUser"User" means any individual who uses an AI companion for personal use within the State and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.Section 1 by: (1) retaining information from prior interactions, prior userUser"User" means any individual who uses an AI companion for personal use within the State and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.Section 1 sessions, or userUser"User" means any individual who uses an AI companion for personal use within the State and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.Section 1 preferences to personalize the interaction and to facilitate ongoing engagement with the AI companion; (2) asking unprompted or unsolicited emotion-based questions that go beyond a direct response to a userUser"User" means any individual who uses an AI companion for personal use within the State and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.Section 1 prompt; and (3) sustaining an ongoing dialogue concerning matters personal to the userUser"User" means any individual who uses an AI companion for personal use within the State and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.Section 1. "Generative artificial intelligenceGenerative artificial intelligence"Generative artificial intelligence" means a technology system that: (1) is trained on data; (2) is designed to simulate human communication through text, audio, or visual communication; and (3) generates non-scripted outputs with limited or no human oversight.Section 1" means a technology system that: (1) is trained on data; (2) is designed to simulate human communication through text, audio, or visual communication; and (3) generates non-scripted outputs with limited or no human oversight. "Human or human-like relationshipHuman or human-like relationship"Human or human-like relationship" includes, but is not limited to, intimate, romantic, or platonic interactions or companionship, and the simulation of intimate, romantic, or platonic interactions or companionship.Section 1" includes, but is not limited to, intimate, romantic, or platonic interactions or companionship, and the simulation of intimate, romantic, or platonic interactions or companionship. "OperatorOperator"Operator" means any individual, partnership, association, firm, or business entity, or any member, affiliate, subsidiary or beneficial owner of any partnership, association, firm, or business entity who operates for or provides an AI companion to a user.Section 1" means any individual, partnership, association, firm, or business entity, or any member, affiliate, subsidiary or beneficial owner of any partnership, association, firm, or business entity who operates for or provides an AI companion to a userUser"User" means any individual who uses an AI companion for personal use within the State and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.Section 1. "UserUser"User" means any individual who uses an AI companion for personal use within the State and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.Section 1" means any individual who uses an AI companion for personal use within the State and who is not an operatorOperator"Operator" means any individual, partnership, association, firm, or business entity, or any member, affiliate, subsidiary or beneficial owner of any partnership, association, firm, or business entity who operates for or provides an AI companion to a user.Section 1 or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.
Section 1 establishes the bill's definitional framework. The key defined terms are Artificial intelligence companion (or AI companion), Generative artificial intelligence, Human or human-like relationship, Operator, and User. The AI companion definition is notable for requiring all three enumerated characteristics — personalization through retained information, unprompted emotional questioning, and sustained personal dialogue — to be present simultaneously, which narrows the scope to relationship-simulating systems and excludes general-purpose chatbots, customer service bots, and single-session assistants.
The Operator definition is broad, extending to any individual or entity that operates or provides an AI companion, including affiliates, subsidiaries, and beneficial owners of the operating entity.
1 An operatorOperator"Operator" means any individual, partnership, association, firm, or business entity, or any member, affiliate, subsidiary or beneficial owner of any partnership, association, firm, or business entity who operates for or provides an AI companion to a user.Section 1 shall provide clear and conspicuous notification to a userUser"User" means any individual who uses an AI companion for personal use within the State and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.Section 1 at the beginning of any AI companion interaction that the userUser"User" means any individual who uses an AI companion for personal use within the State and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.Section 1 is not communicating with a human. This notification shall be provided either verbally or in writing. Thereafter, the notification shall repeat at least every three hours for continued AI companion interactions.
Section 2 is the bill's sole operative obligation. It requires operators to provide clear and conspicuous notification at the beginning of any AI companion interaction that the user is not communicating with a human. The notification must be verbal or in writing. After the initial notification, the operator must repeat the notification at least every three hours during continued interactions.
Unlike California SB 243, this disclosure is unconditional — it applies to all users, not only when a reasonable person would be misled. The three-hour re-notification cadence mirrors SB 243's minor-user provision but applies here to all users regardless of age.
Any operatorOperator"Operator" means any individual, partnership, association, firm, or business entity, or any member, affiliate, subsidiary or beneficial owner of any partnership, association, firm, or business entity who operates for or provides an AI companion to a user.Section 1 that violates the provisions of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) shall be subject to a civil penalty of $15,000 for each violation, to be collected in a civil action by a summary proceeding under the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). The Superior Court and the municipal court shall have jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.) pursuant to this section.
Section 3 establishes enforcement through a flat civil penalty of $15,000 per violation, collected via summary proceeding under New Jersey's Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999 (P.L.1999, c.274; C.2A:58-10 et seq.). Jurisdiction is vested in both the Superior Court and municipal courts. There is no private right of action and no designated agency enforcer — enforcement proceeds through the statutory penalty collection mechanism.
This act shall take effect immediately.
Section 4 provides that the act takes effect immediately upon enactment.