Bill

A 4101

Establishes the "save our small-business grant program" to aid certain small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brian Cunningham

Establishes a 24-hour toll-free line for New Jersey social media users to report fraud or unauthorized access, with public posting requirements.

REFERRED TO SMALL BUSINESS

WeVote Research Nonpartisan

Bill Summary · A 4101

Summary — Assembly Bill A4101 (1R)

Establishes a 24-hour toll‑free help line for New Jersey social media account holders to report fraudulent activity and unauthorized account access; requires public posting of that number and makes noncompliance an unlawful practice under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.

Purpose

To give New Jersey residents who hold social media accounts a reliable, live‑person channel to report fraud (including unauthorized access), and to improve notice about that channel by requiring platforms to publish the number in security emails and in prominent places on the platform.

Key provisions

Requires each covered "social media company" to provide a 24‑hour toll‑free telephone number allowing a New Jersey account holder to reach a live customer service representative to report fraudulent activity, including unauthorized access to an account.
The toll‑free number and an explanation of its purpose must be published:
- on any email notifications of account security sent to a New Jersey account holder; and
- in a prominent location on the platform’s homepage or help page.
Noncompliance is declared an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud Act (P.L.1960, c.39 — C.56:8‑1 et seq.), subject to available remedies and penalties.
The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Definitions and scope

"New Jersey account holder": a New Jersey resident who has or creates a social media account on a covered platform.
"Social media account": a user profile containing personal identifying information or user‑owned pictures/videos shared on the platform.
"Social media company": any person/entity (and agents/representatives) that provides or operates a social media platform with at least five million account holders worldwide.
"Social media platform": public or semipublic internet services/applications that allow users to create accounts, connect with others, and post content for others to view. The bill excludes services where interactions are solely direct messages, transactions, reviews, or where content is preselected (news/sports/entertainment) and interactive features are incidental.

Enforcement and penalties

Violation constitutes an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud Act.
Remedies under that law include monetary penalties (up to $10,000 for a first offense; up to $20,000 for subsequent offenses), cease‑and‑desist orders by the Attorney General, and potential civil relief (punitive damages, treble damages, and costs) for injured parties.

Who is affected / potential impact

Directly affects social media companies meeting the 5 million‑account threshold (global).
Benefits New Jersey account holders by providing a guaranteed live support channel for fraud reporting.
May increase compliance and customer‑service obligations for covered platforms and impose enforcement exposure under state consumer protection law.

Legislative status & timeline (selected)

Introduced in Assembly: April 4, 2024; referred to Assembly Science, Innovation & Technology Committee.
Reported out of Assembly Aging & Human Services with amendments: Feb 13, 2025.
Passed Assembly: Feb 27, 2025 (59–15–1).
Referred to Senate Commerce; reported out of Senate Commerce Committee: Nov 17, 2025 (1R).
Committee amendments clarified exclusions for non–user‑generated content services and made technical corrections.
Companion bill: S3017 (identical as reported).