Bill

Bill > S3717


NJ S3717

NJ S3717
Establishes "Fair Price Protection Act."


summary

Introduced
03/05/2026
In Committee
03/05/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill establishes the "Fair Price Protection Act." Under the bill, a retail food store or third-party grocery delivery platform is prohibited from selling or offering for sale groceries and other foodstuffs or a service and charging different prices to different consumers for the same, or a substantially similar, product or service using, informed by, or based on, in whole or in part, surveillance-based price setting through the use of surveillance data collected from consumers. The bill defines "surveillance-based price setting" as offering or setting a customized price for a product or service for a specific consumer or group of consumers based on information collected through electronic surveillance technology, including sensors, cameras, device tracking, biometric monitoring, or other forms of observation or data collection capable of gathering information about a consumer's behavior, characteristics, location, or other personal attributes. Under the bill, it is not considered surveillance-based price setting if the difference in price for a product or service is: based solely on reasonable costs associated with providing the product or service to different consumers; a bona fide discount offered to broadly defined groups such as teachers, active duty personnel, veterans, senior citizens, or students; or a bona fide discount offered to a consumer who affirmatively and knowingly enrolls in a loyalty program. These differences in price are allowed provided that: eligibility conditions are clearly and conspicuously disclosed; discounts are offered uniformly to consumers who meet the criteria; surveillance data used solely to administer a bona fide discount is not used for any other purpose; and loyalty programs do not charge different prices for points or similar nonmonetary value for the same or substantially similar product or service. Additionally, under the bill, a retail food store is prohibited from using electronic shelving labels to display product and pricing information of groceries and other foodstuffs and instead is required to use a method that allows for a non-digital presentation of price. The Attorney General may bring a civil action to enjoin an act or practice that is in violation of the provision of this bill, enforce compliance, and obtain actual monetary damages incurred from the violation or $50,000, whichever is greater, as well as any other restitution, penalties, or relief the court may deem appropriate. A violation of the bill's provisions is an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act, punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. In addition, violations may result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured party.

AI Summary

This bill, titled the "Fair Price Protection Act," prohibits retail food stores and third-party grocery delivery platforms from charging different prices to consumers for the same or similar products or services based on "surveillance-based price setting," which means using data collected from electronic surveillance technologies like cameras or device tracking to determine individualized prices. However, price differences are permitted if they are solely due to reasonable costs, are bona fide discounts offered to broadly defined groups like seniors or students, or are part of a loyalty program, provided these exceptions have clearly disclosed eligibility and are applied uniformly, and any surveillance data used for discounts is not repurposed. Additionally, retail food stores are required to use non-digital methods for displaying prices on shelves, moving away from electronic shelving labels. The Attorney General is empowered to take civil action to enforce these provisions, seeking injunctions, actual damages or $50,000 (whichever is greater), and other relief, with violations also being considered unlawful practices under consumer fraud laws, carrying penalties of up to $10,000 for a first offense and $20,000 for subsequent offenses, along with potential punitive and treble damages.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Combined with S3612 (SCS) (on 03/16/2026)

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