Bill Text: NJ A4171 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires business using text-based chat to offer transcription of chat to consumer.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-04-11 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee [A4171 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-A4171-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Requires business using text-based chat to offer transcription of chat to consumer.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning text-based chat support and supplementing P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this section:
"Business entity" means any natural or legal person, business corporation, professional services corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, business trust, association, or any other legal commercial entity organized under the laws of this State or any other state or foreign jurisdiction.
"Chat" means any tool used by a business entity to provide real-time, text-based communication with a consumer.
"Transcript" means a typed or printed verbatim record of a chat.
b. A business entity that uses chat to communicate with a consumer shall provide the consumer with an option to receive a transcript of the chat at the conclusion of the interaction. The business entity shall provide clear and conspicuous notice to the consumer at the outset of any interaction, informing the consumer of the option to receive a transcript of the chat.
c. A violation of the provisions of this section shall be an unlawful practice and a violation of P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.).
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires a business entity that uses text-based chat to communicate with consumers to offer an option to obtain a transcription of the chat at the conclusion of the interaction.
Under the bill, the business entity is required to provide clear and conspicuous notice informing consumers of the option to obtain a transcript of the chat.
A violation of the bill's provisions is an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act, punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. In addition, violations may result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured party.
