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.
"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 supplies the definitions that scope the entire bill. The pivotal term is artificial intelligence companion, which is defined narrowly and functionally: a generative AI system qualifies only if it does all three of (1) retain prior-interaction data to personalize engagement, (2) ask unprompted emotion-based questions, and (3) sustain ongoing dialogue about matters personal to the user. This conjunctive three-prong test means ordinary task-oriented chatbots and customer-service assistants fall outside coverage.
The operator definition reaches broadly to affiliates, subsidiaries, and beneficial owners of any entity providing an AI companion to a user, while user is limited to individuals using the companion for personal use within New Jersey.
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. Operators must give a clear and conspicuous notification at the beginning of any AI companion interaction that the user is not communicating with a human, delivered verbally or in writing, and must repeat that notification at least every three hours for continued interactions.
Unlike California SB 243, the disclosure here is unconditional — it does not hinge on whether a reasonable person would be misled — and the periodic reminder applies to all users, not only minors.
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 sets a flat $15,000 civil penalty per violation, collected by the State through a summary proceeding under the Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999. The Superior Court and municipal courts have jurisdiction. This is an enforcement mechanism — it does not create an independent compliance duty and no private right of action is provided.
This act shall take effect immediately.
Section 4 provides that the act takes effect immediately upon enactment.