WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 4 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.
(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.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.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.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.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.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.Section 1(a), commission, or other instrumentality within or created by such department, and any independent State authority, commission, or instrumentality thereof.
This subsection defines the four key terms used throughout the bill: Director, High-risk algorithmic system, Office, and State entity. The high-risk algorithmic system definition is notably broad — it covers any automated or semi-automated system used by a State entity that may impact access to housing, public benefits, employment, healthcare, education, or criminal justice involvement. The scope is limited to State entities, meaning private-sector algorithmic systems are not directly covered.
(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.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.Section 1(a). The directorDirector"Director" means the Director of the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.Section 1(a).
This subsection establishes the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights within the Department of Law and Public Safety and vests the Attorney General with authority to appoint its director. The director must be qualified by training and experience and must devote full time to the office's duties. The subsection also requires that lived experience or work experience with algorithms and civil rights be considered in staffing decisions — a notable hiring-criteria mandate unusual in government-office establishment provisions.
(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.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.Section 1(a) may expand in response to emerging needs and crises related to algorithmic systems, as determined by the Attorney General.
This subsection enumerates five core functions of the Office: serving as a centralized hub for algorithmic-bias expertise; supporting education and safe-practice initiatives for State entities; analyzing and reporting on algorithm-related harms; advising State entities on operational improvements; and developing and delivering tailored training. The Attorney General may expand these duties in response to emerging algorithmic crises. These are institutional mandates on the Office itself rather than direct compliance obligations on State entities, though they create the infrastructure for the audit and corrective-action obligations in subsection (d).
(d) 2 The officeOffice"Office" means the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.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.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.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.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.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.Section 1(a).
This subsection imposes the bill's most significant compliance obligation: the Office must conduct audits of high-risk algorithmic systems used by State entities at least biannually. Each audit must cover the system's intended purpose and use, data inputs, potential bias or disparate impact, risk mitigation measures, and a public-disclosure summary consistent with privacy laws. When the Office identifies bias or discrimination risk, it must issue recommendations to the affected State entity, which must then develop and implement a corrective action plan within a timeframe set by the director. This creates a direct compliance obligation on State entities — they must cooperate with audits and respond to findings with corrective action plans.
(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.Section 1(a) that utilizes, funds, or oversees algorithms shall designate an algorithmic civil rights liaison to the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights.
This subsection requires every State entity that uses, funds, or oversees algorithms to designate an algorithmic civil rights liaison to the Office. This is a governance-structure obligation that ensures a point of contact within each agency for the Office's audit, training, and advisory functions. The requirement is not limited to high-risk systems — any State entity touching algorithms in any capacity must designate a liaison.
(f) The officeOffice"Office" means the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.Section 1(a) shall use its data to inform the State's efforts, to the extent permissible under State and federal law.
This subsection directs the Office to use its collected data to inform the State's broader efforts, subject to applicable State and federal privacy law. This is a general institutional directive rather than a discrete compliance obligation on any covered entity.
(g) 4 The officeOffice"Office" means the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.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.
This subsection requires the Office to submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature. The report must include 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. This is a public-transparency obligation that ensures legislative and executive oversight of the Office's audit and advisory work.
(h) The directorDirector"Director" means the Director of the Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.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.
This subsection authorizes the director to adopt rules and regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act as necessary to implement the bill's provisions. This is a standard delegation of rulemaking authority and does not create a compliance obligation on any covered entity.
(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.Section 1(a) responsible for enforcing civil rights laws.
This subsection is a savings clause preserving the authority of the Division on Civil Rights and any other State entity responsible for enforcing civil rights laws. It creates no new compliance obligation.
This act shall take effect immediately.
The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment. No delayed or staged implementation date is specified.