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Bill

Bill

S 402

Establishes confidentiality of landlord-tenant court records; addresses adverse actions on rental applications.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Brian Stack and 1 co-sponsor

New Jersey bill shields landlord-tenant court records from public access and prohibits landlords from denying housing based on tenants' court participation history.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee
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Bill Summary · S 402

Legislative bill overview

S 402 establishes confidentiality protections for landlord-tenant court records in New Jersey and restricts landlords from taking adverse actions against tenants based solely on their court involvement. The bill aims to prevent tenants from facing housing discrimination for having participated in eviction proceedings or other rental disputes, regardless of the outcome.

Why is this important

Tenants who appear in court—even when they win their case or the case is dismissed—often face blacklisting by landlords checking rental histories, making it extremely difficult to secure future housing. This bill addresses a real barrier to housing access for vulnerable populations and could reduce homelessness by preventing a single court appearance from becoming a permanent housing obstacle.

Potential points of contention

  • Landlord concerns: Property owners argue they need access to tenant history to assess risk; limiting this information may be seen as restricting legitimate screening practices and increasing vacancy rates or defaults
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's language on what constitutes "adverse action" and which court records become confidential could create enforcement challenges and disputes over compliance
  • Market impact: Landlords may respond by increasing security deposits, raising rents, or reducing rental inventory if they perceive increased risk from limited screening capabilities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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