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A 1703

Provides for the admission of evidence of proof of similar offenses in criminal and civil proceedings involving the commission of a sex offense

2025 Regular Session Introduced by John Mikulin

Limit public access to landlord-tenant court records to shield tenants from screening; 60-day confidentiality, often indefinite, with disclosure only after a possession judgment.

HELD FOR CONSIDERATION IN CODES
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 1703

Bill A 1703 — Summary

Note: The bill text provided appears to focus on the confidentiality of landlord-tenant court records, rather than the unrelated topic suggested by the title at the top. The summary below reflects the introduced version content and current legislative actions as provided.

Purpose and scope

  • Purpose: To protect tenants from unjust, unfair, or discriminatory screening practices by limiting public access to court records generated in landlord-tenant actions. The bill aims to prevent “blacklisting” of tenants based solely on bare court-filing information, particularly where outcomes show the tenant prevailed or where cases were resolved without a possession judgment.
  • Scope: Applies to landlord-tenant actions in the Special Civil Part of the New Jersey Superior Court and affects public access to court records and related reporting.

Key provisions

  • 60-day confidentiality window: Court records for landlord-tenant actions are confidential and not publicly available for the first 60 days after the action is filed.
  • Indefinite confidentiality absent possession judgment: If the action does not result in a judgment for possession, the court record remains confidential indefinitely.
  • Public access tied to possession judgments:
    • If a judgment for possession is entered, the record becomes public no later than the later of (a) the 61st day after filing or (b) within 45 days after the matter is fully resolved.
    • If either party appeals, public access is delayed until the appeal concludes; the record becomes public only if the landlord prevails.
  • Conditions that may vacate possession: If possession is conditioned on tenant-satisfying certain requirements and those conditions are not met, the record remains confidential unless the court determines otherwise at the conclusion of an appeal or potential appeal.
  • Order to show cause (OSC): If a tenant files an OSC to vacate the judgment prior to eviction, the record remains confidential until OSC resolution; if the tenant prevails, confidentiality remains.
  • Tenant-rights actions against landlords: Court records of any cause of action brought by a tenant asserting a legal right against a landlord remain confidential indefinitely, unless the tenant voluntarily consents to disclosure.
  • Definitions (Section 3):
    • “Court record” includes pleadings, motions, orders, transcripts, docket entries, and any record in the court’s case-management system or maintained by a judicial officer.
    • “Landlord-tenant action” refers to actions in the Special Civil Part of the NJ Superior Court.
  • Public entities: If a public entity maintains records of landlord-tenant actions, it must ensure records not resulting in a possession judgment remain confidential.

Affected parties and impact

  • Tenants: Potentially greater protection from public screening based on initial filings; reduced risk of eviction-blueprinting via public court-filing data.
  • Landlords and landlord-tenant screening services: May experience changes in what court data can be publicly accessed or reported, potentially limiting access to filing information in certain cases.
  • Tenant screening agencies: Likely to adjust reporting practices to reflect confidentiality periods and public-access limitations.
  • Public records/taxpayer-facing agencies: Must implement confidentiality requirements for landlord-tenant records.
  • Broader housing market: Aims to reduce barriers to housing for tenants who prevail or settle, and mitigate chilling effects on exercising legal rights.

Timeline and status

  • Introduced: January 9, 2024 (Assembly)
  • Initial action: Referred to Assembly Housing Committee
  • 2025-01-14: Referred to Codes (status indicates ongoing consideration)
  • 2025-05-13: Reported as HELD FOR CONSIDERATION IN CODES (appears twice in record)
  • Current status: HELD FOR CONSIDERATION IN CODES

Sponsorship and related measures

  • Sponsor: John K. Mikulin (primary)
  • Related bills/companion: S 279 (companion); A 5700, A 4702, A 4235 (prior-session)
  • Legislative context: Related to confidentiality of tenant-related court records and protections against adverse impacts from public rental-screening data.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary for a policy brief or prepare a side-by-side comparison with the companion S 279 and related A bills.

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

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