Bill
Bill > A3452
NJ A3452
NJ A3452Establishes criminal penalties for production, sale, and use of false COVID-19 vaccination verification card; requires AG to establish COVID-19 vaccination fraud prevention program.
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 establishes certain criminal penalties in connection with documents that falsely purport to be a verification issued by a governmental agency of a person having received one or more doses of a vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and requires the Attorney General to establish a COVID-19 vaccination fraud prevention program. Under the bill, a person who knowingly sells, offers or exposes for sale, or otherwise transfers, or possesses with the intent to sell, offer or expose for sale, or otherwise transfer a false SARS-CoV-2 vaccination verification card, or who makes or possesses the devices or materials to make false SARS-CoV-2 vaccination verification cards, will be guilty of a crime of the second degree, which is punishable by imprisonment for five to 10 years, up to a $150,000 fine, or both. A person who knowingly exhibits, displays or utters a false COVID-18 vaccination verification card will be guilty of a crime of the third degree, which is punishable by imprisonment for three to five years, up to a $15,000 fine, or both. A person who knowingly possesses a false COVID-19 vaccination verification card will be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree, which is punishable by imprisonment for up to 18 months, up to a $10,000 fine, or both. The Attorney General will be required to develop a COVID-19 vaccination fraud prevention program, which will focus on preventing and prosecuting the production, sale, distribution, and use of counterfeit SARS-CoV-2 vaccination cards and other materials that enable a person who has not received the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to falsely indicate that the person has received the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. For this purpose, the Office of the Attorney General will be provided access to information contained in the New Jersey Immunization Information System established pursuant to P.L.2004, c.138 (C.26:4-131 et seq.) concerning SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations, for the sole purpose of verifying the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status of an individual suspected of falsely purporting to have received the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Any information concerning an individual obtained by the program from the New Jersey Immunization Information System will be held confidential, and may not be shared or released by the program for any purpose, other than to directly aid in the investigation and prosecution of COVID-19 vaccination fraud. The Attorney General will be required to develop the COVID-19 vaccination fraud program no later than 30 days after the effective date of the bill.
AI Summary
This bill establishes criminal penalties for actions related to fake COVID-19 vaccination verification cards, which are documents falsely claiming to show proof of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Specifically, knowingly selling, transferring, or possessing these fake cards with intent to sell is a second-degree crime, punishable by five to ten years in prison and/or a $150,000 fine. Creating or possessing the means to create these fake cards is also a second-degree crime. Knowingly showing or using a fake card is a third-degree crime, with penalties of three to five years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine. Merely possessing a fake card is a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. Additionally, the bill requires the Attorney General to create a COVID-19 vaccination fraud prevention program within 30 days of the bill's enactment to combat the production, sale, distribution, and use of counterfeit vaccination verification materials, and grants the Attorney General's office access to the New Jersey Immunization Information System for the sole purpose of investigating suspected vaccination fraud, with strict confidentiality requirements for any accessed information.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly 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/A3452 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A3500/3452_I1.HTM |
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