Bill
Bill > S1508
NJ S1508
NJ S1508Makes it unlawful to record telephone call or other conversation unless all parties consent.
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 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 make it unlawful for a private citizen to record a phone call or other conversation unless all parties involved have given their consent, changing New Jersey from a "one-party consent" state, where only one person needs to agree to the recording, to an "all-party consent" state. Currently, the law allows individuals to record conversations if they are part of the conversation or have one party's consent, with exceptions for law enforcement. Violating these wiretapping laws can result in a prison sentence of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. This change would align New Jersey with the 11 other states that already require all parties to consent to recordings.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S1508 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2000/1508_I1.HTM |
Loading...