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.
a. As used in this section: "DirectorDirector"Director" means the Director of the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.)" means the Director of the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety. "High-risk algorithmic systemHigh-risk algorithmic system"High-risk algorithmic system" means any automated or semi-automated system used by a State entity that may impact an individual's ability to access housing, public benefits, employment, healthcare, education, or involvement with the criminal justice system.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.)" means any automated or semi-automated system used by a State entityState entity"State entity" means any of the principal departments in the Executive Branch of State Government, and any agency, division, board, bureau, office, commission, or other instrumentality within or created by such department, and any independent State authority, commission, or instrumentality thereof.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) that may impact an individual's ability to access housing, public benefits, employment, healthcare, education, or involvement with the criminal justice system. "OfficeOffice"Office" means the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.)" means the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety. "State entityState entity"State entity" means any of the principal departments in the Executive Branch of State Government, and any agency, division, board, bureau, office, commission, or other instrumentality within or created by such department, and any independent State authority, commission, or instrumentality thereof.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.)" means any of the principal departments in the Executive Branch of State Government, and any agency, division, board, bureau, officeOffice"Office" means the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.), commission, or other instrumentality within or created by such department, and any independent State authority, commission, or instrumentality thereof.
b. There is established in the Department of Law and Public Safety an Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights. The Attorney General shall appoint a directorDirector"Director" means the Director of the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.), who shall serve as the administrator and head of the officeOffice"Office" means the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.). The directorDirector"Director" means the Director of the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) shall serve at the pleasure of the Attorney General. The directorDirector"Director" means the Director of the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) shall be a person qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the officeOffice"Office" means the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) and shall devote the directorDirector"Director" means the Director of the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.)'s entire time to the performance of those duties. The directorDirector"Director" means the Director of the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) shall administer the work of the officeOffice"Office" means the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) under the direction of the Attorney General and shall perform such other functions as the Attorney General may prescribe. The directorDirector"Director" means the Director of the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) may hire staff as necessary to assist with the duties of the officeOffice"Office" means the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.), within the limits of funds appropriated or made available to the officeOffice"Office" means the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) for such purposes. A person's lived experience or work experience with algorithms and civil rights shall be considered when decisions are made for the hiring of staff for the officeOffice"Office" means the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.).
c. 1 The core functions of the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights shall be to: (1) serve as a centralized location for expertise and data on the biases, discrimination, and other harms caused by high-risk algorithmic systemsHigh-risk algorithmic system"High-risk algorithmic system" means any automated or semi-automated system used by a State entity that may impact an individual's ability to access housing, public benefits, employment, healthcare, education, or involvement with the criminal justice system.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) and the methods to prevent such harms from occurring; (2) engage in programs, initiatives, and policies to support education and safe practices related to the use of algorithmic systems by State entities; (3) analyze and report on data relevant to the potential harms of algorithm use; (4) identify and advise on improvements to operational processes and systems within State entities to align with best practices; and (5) develop and deliver training tailored to the functions and requirements of State entities in relation to algorithmic systems. In addition to the core functions defined in this subsection, the duties of the officeOffice"Office" means the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) may expand in response to emerging needs and crises related to algorithmic systems, as determined by the Attorney General.
d. 2 The officeOffice"Office" means the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) shall, at least biannually, conduct audits of high-risk algorithmic systemsHigh-risk algorithmic system"High-risk algorithmic system" means any automated or semi-automated system used by a State entity that may impact an individual's ability to access housing, public benefits, employment, healthcare, education, or involvement with the criminal justice system.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) used by State entities to assess compliance and identify potential discriminatory impacts. The audits shall include, at a minimum, the intended purpose and use of the system, the data inputs utilized, an evaluation of potential bias or disparate impact, measures to mitigate risks of discrimination, and a summary suitable for public disclosure, consistent with applicable State and federal privacy laws. If the officeOffice"Office" means the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) identifies a risk of bias or discrimination, the officeOffice"Office" means the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) shall issue recommendations to the applicable State entityState entity"State entity" means any of the principal departments in the Executive Branch of State Government, and any agency, division, board, bureau, office, commission, or other instrumentality within or created by such department, and any independent State authority, commission, or instrumentality thereof.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) and such entity shall develop and implement a corrective action plan within a reasonable timeframe established by the director of the officeOffice"Office" means the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.).
e. 3 Each State entityState entity"State entity" means any of the principal departments in the Executive Branch of State Government, and any agency, division, board, bureau, office, commission, or other instrumentality within or created by such department, and any independent State authority, commission, or instrumentality thereof.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) that utilizes, funds, or oversees algorithms shall designate an algorithmic civil rights liaison to the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights.
f. The officeOffice"Office" means the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) shall use its data to inform the State's efforts, to the extent permissible under State and federal law.
g. The officeOffice"Office" means the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) shall submit an annual report to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1). The report shall include, but need not be limited to, a summary of algorithmic systems reviewed, findings related to bias or discrimination, corrective actions taken by State entities, and recommendations for legislative or regulatory changes.
h. The directorDirector"Director" means the Director of the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) shall, in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), adopt rules and regulations as necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
i. Nothing in this act shall be construed to limit or supersede the authority of the Division on Civil Rights or any other State entityState entity"State entity" means any of the principal departments in the Executive Branch of State Government, and any agency, division, board, bureau, office, commission, or other instrumentality within or created by such department, and any independent State authority, commission, or instrumentality thereof.N.J.S.A. 52 (Section 1.a.) responsible for enforcing civil rights laws.
This section creates an Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights within the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, headed by a director appointed by the Attorney General. Its substantive compliance teeth are the requirement that the office conduct audits of high-risk algorithmic systems used by State entities at least biannually, evaluating purpose, data inputs, potential bias or disparate impact, and mitigation measures, and the requirement that a State entity found to present a bias risk develop and implement a corrective action plan.
The obligations here run to government agencies rather than private AI developers. Each State entity that uses, funds, or oversees algorithms must designate an algorithmic civil rights liaison. The remaining provisions — the office's core educational and advisory functions, annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature, rulemaking authority, and a savings clause preserving the Division on Civil Rights' authority — frame the office's operation rather than impose compliance duties on covered entities.