Bill
Bill > A6186
NJ A6186
NJ A6186Makes it unlawful to record telephone call or other conversation unless all parties consent.
summary
Introduced
12/08/2025
12/08/2025
In Committee
12/08/2025
12/08/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would make it unlawful for a private citizen to record a phone call or other conversation unless all parties consent. Currently, the wiretapping statutes provide that in situations where a person has an expectation of privacy, it is unlawful for a private citizen to use an electronic, mechanical, or other device to record a conversation, unless the person making the recording is a party to the conversation, or one of the parties consents to the recording. The statutes set out exceptions for law enforcement, which would not be affected by this bill. Violation of the wiretapping law is a crime of the third degree, punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Because New Jersey recording law generally requires the consent of only one party to a conversation, New Jersey is currently known as a "one-party consent" state. This bill would change the law to make New Jersey an "all-party consent" state. Currently, 11 states require such "all-party consent."
AI Summary
This bill would change New Jersey's wiretapping law to require all parties to consent before a conversation can be recorded, transforming the state from a "one-party consent" to an "all-party consent" jurisdiction. Specifically, the bill modifies existing law by removing language that previously allowed a conversation to be recorded if one party to the communication consented, and instead mandates that all parties must provide prior consent before a recording can be made. The bill maintains existing exceptions for law enforcement, communication service providers, and certain types of public communications (such as radio transmissions related to public safety or distress). Currently, violation of the wiretapping law is a third-degree crime punishable by 3-5 years in prison and/or a fine up to $15,000. The legislation would take effect 90 days after enactment, aligning New Jersey with the 11 other states that already require all-party consent for recording conversations. The change aims to provide greater privacy protection by ensuring that no conversation can be recorded without the explicit agreement of every participant.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee (on 12/08/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A6186 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A6500/6186_I1.HTM |
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