WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 2 REQUIREMENT TYPES
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.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Authentic Relationships Act."
This section establishes the short title of the act as the Authentic Relationships Act. It creates no compliance obligations.
a Family, the bedrock of society and the foundation of all communities, is formed out of genuine human relationships.
b Recent tragedies, including the highly publicized death of a New Jersey man who was induced to pursue a meeting with artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" or "AI" means the same as defined in section 2 of P.L.2024, c.49 (C.34:1B-395).Section 3 that he believed to be a romantic partner, underscore the grave dangers of permitting machines to imitate human intimacy.
c Artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" or "AI" means the same as defined in section 2 of P.L.2024, c.49 (C.34:1B-395).Section 3 that simulates romance differs substantially from historical romantic media such as novels, plays, or films which, while they may depict fictional romance, do not interact with individuals in real time, nor do they generate adaptive emotional feedback designed to foster the illusion of a personal relationship.
d True romantic love is only possible between persons, not between a person and a machine, and our laws must reflect this fundamental truth in order to safeguard human dignity and promote healthy communities.
e It is necessary to protect the public and to hold accountable artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" or "AI" means the same as defined in section 2 of P.L.2024, c.49 (C.34:1B-395).Section 3 providersProvider"Provider" means any person, corporation, or entity that develops, deploys, markets, or makes available artificial intelligence to the public.Section 3 that intentionally or inadvertently cause romantic distress through the development, deployment, or commercialization of artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" or "AI" means the same as defined in section 2 of P.L.2024, c.49 (C.34:1B-395).Section 3 that simulate intimate relationships.
This section sets out legislative findings motivating the bill, including reference to the death of a New Jersey man who was induced to pursue a meeting with an AI he believed to be a romantic partner. The findings distinguish AI relationship simulations from historical romantic media (novels, plays, films) on the basis that AI provides real-time adaptive emotional feedback designed to foster the illusion of a personal relationship. No compliance obligations are imposed.
"Artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" or "AI" means the same as defined in section 2 of P.L.2024, c.49 (C.34:1B-395).Section 3" or "AI" means the same as defined in section 2 of P.L.2024, c.49 (C.34:1B-395).
"Artificial intelligence relationship simulationArtificial intelligence relationship simulation"Artificial intelligence relationship simulation" means any software, system, or device that, through adaptive learning, generative text, speech, or imagery, is designed or marketed to imitate, simulate, or encourage the formation of an intimate, romantic, or sexual relationship between a human and artificial intelligence.Section 3" means any software, system, or device that, through adaptive learning, generative text, speech, or imagery, is designed or marketed to imitate, simulate, or encourage the formation of an intimate, romantic, or sexual relationship between a human and artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" or "AI" means the same as defined in section 2 of P.L.2024, c.49 (C.34:1B-395).Section 3.
"Legitimate medical usageLegitimate medical usage"Legitimate medical usage" means artificial intelligence developed and deployed exclusively for clinical or therapeutic purposes, including but not limited to, the treatment of social anxiety, dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other medically recognized conditions, under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional.Section 3" means artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" or "AI" means the same as defined in section 2 of P.L.2024, c.49 (C.34:1B-395).Section 3 developed and deployed exclusively for clinical or therapeutic purposes, including but not limited to, the treatment of social anxiety, dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other medically recognized conditions, under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional.
"ProviderProvider"Provider" means any person, corporation, or entity that develops, deploys, markets, or makes available artificial intelligence to the public.Section 3" means any person, corporation, or entity that develops, deploys, markets, or makes available artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" or "AI" means the same as defined in section 2 of P.L.2024, c.49 (C.34:1B-395).Section 3 to the public.
This section defines the key terms used throughout the act. Artificial intelligence relationship simulation is defined broadly to encompass any software, system, or device that uses adaptive learning, generative text, speech, or imagery to imitate, simulate, or encourage intimate, romantic, or sexual relationships between a human and AI. Provider covers any person, corporation, or entity that develops, deploys, markets, or makes AI available to the public — a notably broad definition that reaches the full AI supply chain. The legitimate medical usage exception is limited to AI deployed exclusively for clinical or therapeutic purposes under licensed healthcare professional supervision.
a 1 A providerProvider"Provider" means any person, corporation, or entity that develops, deploys, markets, or makes available artificial intelligence to the public.Section 3 shall not design, develop, market, or make available in this State any artificial intelligence relationship simulationArtificial intelligence relationship simulation"Artificial intelligence relationship simulation" means any software, system, or device that, through adaptive learning, generative text, speech, or imagery, is designed or marketed to imitate, simulate, or encourage the formation of an intimate, romantic, or sexual relationship between a human and artificial intelligence.Section 3, except that artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" or "AI" means the same as defined in section 2 of P.L.2024, c.49 (C.34:1B-395).Section 3 may include features resembling intimate interaction only if the artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" or "AI" means the same as defined in section 2 of P.L.2024, c.49 (C.34:1B-395).Section 3 is developed and deployed exclusively for a legitimate medical usageLegitimate medical usage"Legitimate medical usage" means artificial intelligence developed and deployed exclusively for clinical or therapeutic purposes, including but not limited to, the treatment of social anxiety, dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other medically recognized conditions, under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional.Section 3 and does not imitate, simulate, or encourage a romantic or sexual relationship with a human.
b The Attorney General shall have authority to investigate and bring civil enforcement actions against any providerProvider"Provider" means any person, corporation, or entity that develops, deploys, markets, or makes available artificial intelligence to the public.Section 3 that violates the provisions of this section. The Attorney General may assess a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 per violation of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). Each instance of designing, developing, marketing, or making available a prohibited artificial intelligence relationship simulationArtificial intelligence relationship simulation"Artificial intelligence relationship simulation" means any software, system, or device that, through adaptive learning, generative text, speech, or imagery, is designed or marketed to imitate, simulate, or encourage the formation of an intimate, romantic, or sexual relationship between a human and artificial intelligence.Section 3 shall constitute a separate violation.
c Any individual who suffers emotional, financial, or relational harm as a result of a violation of this section shall have a cause of action in a court of competent jurisdiction to recover damages, including punitive damages and reasonable attorney's fees.
This is the bill's core operative section. Subsection (a) imposes a categorical prohibition: providers may not design, develop, market, or make available in New Jersey any AI relationship simulation. The sole exception is AI that includes features resembling intimate interaction but is developed and deployed exclusively for legitimate medical usage and does not imitate, simulate, or encourage a romantic or sexual relationship. This is a strict prohibition — not a disclosure or safety obligation — making it one of the most aggressive state approaches to AI companion products.
Subsections (b) and (c) establish dual enforcement channels. The Attorney General may investigate and bring civil enforcement actions with penalties up to $25,000 per violation, with each instance of prohibited activity constituting a separate violation. Additionally, any individual who suffers emotional, financial, or relational harm has a private right of action for damages, including punitive damages and reasonable attorney's fees.
2 It shall be an unlawful practice and a violation of P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.) for a providerProvider"Provider" means any person, corporation, or entity that develops, deploys, markets, or makes available artificial intelligence to the public.Section 3 to design, develop, market, or make available in this State any artificial intelligence relationship simulationArtificial intelligence relationship simulation"Artificial intelligence relationship simulation" means any software, system, or device that, through adaptive learning, generative text, speech, or imagery, is designed or marketed to imitate, simulate, or encourage the formation of an intimate, romantic, or sexual relationship between a human and artificial intelligence.Section 3 with the intent to deceive a person into believing that the person is interacting with a human.
This section establishes a separate violation under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act (P.L.1960, c.39, C.56:8-1 et seq.) for providers who deploy AI relationship simulations with intent to deceive a person into believing they are interacting with a human. This is distinct from the Section 4 prohibition — Section 4 bans all AI relationship simulations regardless of deceptive intent, while Section 5 layers on Consumer Fraud Act liability specifically when the provider intends to deceive. The practical effect is that deceptive AI relationship simulations trigger both the Section 4 penalties and the full Consumer Fraud Act remedial framework, including treble damages.
The provisions of this act shall be severable, and if any of its provisions shall be held to be unconstitutional, the decision of the court shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this act.
Standard severability clause providing that if any provision is held unconstitutional, the remaining provisions survive. No compliance obligations are imposed.
This act shall take effect on the 180th day after enactment.
The act takes effect on the 180th day after enactment. No compliance obligations are imposed.