summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill makes certain changes to the public's access to government records. Specifically the bill: ? exempts from disclosure e-mail addresses, home telephone numbers, unlisted or otherwise and cell phone numbers; ? provides for a uniform per page rate for copying government records; ? requires the Government Records Council to develop a form to be used by records custodians that will allow persons to opt-out of having their address made public; ? permits a records custodian to require the requester to obtain the record from the agency website when the information requested is readily available on the website; ? clarifies special service charges includes costs of labor; ? requires the record custodian to accept a record request made on a document other than the adopted form if it contains a notice that it is an OPRA request and contains the information required on the adopted form; ? provides records custodians a seven day extension to comply with large or complicated requests; ? requires the requestor to pick up the requested documents within fourteen business days of the records being available; ? requires contact information for the custodian of a public agency to be included on the agency website; ? requires mediation for all complaints; and ? requires that attorney's fees be awarded only when a knowing and willful violation is found. Also, this bill will permit a Superior Court to issue a protective order limiting the number and scope of requests a requestor may make under the open public records act, N.J.S.A.47:1A-1 et seq. In appropriate circumstances, the court may eliminate a public agency's duty to respond to requests from the requestor in the future. The bill will require the court, in issuing the order, to determine that the requestor has sought records under the act for an improper purpose, including, but not limited to, the harassment of a public agency or its employees.
AI Summary
This bill makes several changes to public access of government records, aiming to streamline the process and protect certain personal information. It exempts email addresses, home and cell phone numbers, and home addresses (if requested by the individual) from public disclosure, while establishing a uniform per-page rate for copying records and allowing agencies to direct requesters to their websites for readily available information. The bill also clarifies that special service charges for record copying include labor costs, and requires custodians to accept requests not on the official form if they contain the necessary information and clearly state they are OPRA (Open Public Records Act) requests. It provides a seven-day extension for custodians to respond to large or complex requests, and mandates that requesters pick up documents within fourteen business days or the request is considered fulfilled, with agencies not required to hold records beyond thirty days. Additionally, contact information for custodians must be posted on agency websites, and mediation is now required for all complaints filed with the Government Records Council, with attorney's fees awarded only for knowing and willful violations. Finally, a Superior Court can issue a protective order to limit or eliminate an agency's duty to respond to requests from individuals found to be using the act for improper purposes, such as harassment.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 01/13/2026)
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/2026/S2074 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2500/2074_I1.HTM |
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