Bill
Bill > S1840
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 creates the "New Jersey Responsible AI Advancement and Workforce Protection Act." The bill establishes worker protections, environmental responsibility, privacy protection, responsible investment, and workforce development within the AI industry. AI is reshaping the economy, and the bill establishes a legislative framework to ensure that workers are not casualties of technological progress. Investing in retraining and re-employment pathways for those displaced by AI, developing apprenticeships, and enhancing community college programs will prepare residents of the State for the jobs of tomorrow: jobs that are resilient, dignified, and future-proof. AI businesses and developers will contribute to a training fund to enable retraining and development programs, and employers deploying AI systems that result in layoffs will be held accountable through mandatory disclosures and additional contributions to the training fund. The bill establishes the AI Horizon Fund, sourced by an assessment on AI revenues and supplemented by annual appropriations, which will be used to fund the various programs outlined in the bill. In addition, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development will establish an additional schedule of supplemental assessments that will be levied on employers who lay off workers because the employers can replace the workers' capabilities with AI. The bill requires environmental and resource usage disclosures at the time of initial deployment and additional annual reporting on these factors. In addition, municipalities will work with AI providers at the time of initial deployment to ensure community-based involvement in AI developments. High-risk AI systems implemented in New Jersey are required to develop impact assessments and comply with ethical use and transparency requirements. The bill defines high-risk AI systems as AI systems used in employment, housing, healthcare, education, criminal justice, or public services. The bill enables the Department of Labor and Workforce Development or the Attorney General to enforce civil penalties against employers who violate those provisions. In addition, the bill requires the Office of the Attorney General to investigate complaints related to AI-driven discrimination and unreasonable AI workplace surveillance and pursue penalties for violations of civil rights protections.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the "New Jersey Responsible AI Advancement and Workforce Protection Act," establishes a framework to ensure that the growth of artificial intelligence (AI), which is defined as technology capable of performing tasks requiring human intelligence, benefits New Jersey residents and the environment. It creates the AI Horizon Fund, financed by a percentage of AI companies' revenue and legislative appropriations, to support worker retraining and apprenticeship programs, invest in clean energy for AI infrastructure, and fund community resilience initiatives. Employers who lay off workers due to AI implementation will be required to disclose these layoffs and contribute additional funds to the training fund, with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (the "Department") overseeing these processes and providing enhanced unemployment benefits and job placement programs for displaced workers. AI infrastructure entities, defined as companies operating large-scale AI computing facilities, must conduct and disclose environmental impact assessments, report on energy and water usage, and enter into community benefit agreements with municipalities, which are defined as comprehensive agreements detailing environmental and economic impacts and community benefits. High-risk AI systems, defined as those used in employment, housing, healthcare, education, criminal justice, or public services, will require algorithmic impact assessments before deployment and must adhere to ethical use and transparency requirements, with the Office of the Attorney General empowered to investigate AI-driven discrimination and unreasonable workplace surveillance, enforcing penalties for civil rights violations.
Committee Categories
Labor and Employment
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Labor 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/S1840 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2000/1840_I1.HTM |
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