NJ Senate Panel Clears Privacy Bill; Talks to Continue

A state privacy bill cleared New Jersey’s Senate Commerce Committee in a 3-2 partisan vote Thursday. The panel's Democrats voted for S-332, but Republicans said no at the livestreamed hearing. Chair Nellie Pou (D) said she had a commitment from sponsor Sen. Troy Singleton (D) that the bill won't go to the floor until he can review all comments on the bill and speak to anyone who wants to discuss it. The New Jersey Business & Industry Association is still analyzing the bill, said Vice President-Government Affairs Ray Cantor. The association hopes a bipartisan federal bill proposed last week (see 2206070062) might mean a “breakthrough” in Congress, he said. The New Jersey bill would require websites to notify consumers about -- and allow them to opt out of -- collection and disclosure of personally identifiable information. It would give the state attorney general exclusive enforcement authority.