NJ S965

Bill

Allows person calling certain State or local government entities to have option of speaking or leaving recorded message with human telephone operator during normal business hours.

Introduced
01/13/2026

In Committee
01/13/2026

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires a State agency or local unit, as those terms are defined in the bill, that is required by law, rule or regulation to provide the public with a telephone number as a point of contact with that agency or local unit or an employee of that agency or local unit, and that employs an automated telephone answering service to meet this requirement, to allow a person who contacts the State agency or local unit, as appropriate, by telephone during normal business hours to have the option of pressing zero on the person's telephone in order to speak or leave a recorded message with a human telephone operator.

AI Summary

This bill mandates that any State agency or local unit, which includes municipalities, counties, or other political subdivisions and their agencies, that is legally required to provide a public telephone contact and uses an automated telephone answering service, must offer callers the option to press "0" during normal business hours to speak with or leave a recorded message for a human operator. This applies to all branches of the State government, including departments, boards, and independent agencies, as well as local government entities. The law is set to take effect 90 days after enactment, though agencies can prepare for its implementation sooner.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Jon Bramnick (R)*,

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S965

(2 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S965
BillText	https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1000/965_I1.HTM

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
A3663	Allows person calling certain State or local government entities to have option of speaking or leaving recorded message with human telephone operator during normal business hours.	Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee	Same As
S536	Allows person calling certain State or local government entities to have option of speaking or leaving a recorded message with a human telephone operator during normal business hours.	Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee	Carry Over

Bill > S965

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

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