This bill seeks to enhance the confidentiality of landlord-tenant court records in New Jersey by ensuring that such records remain confidential and inaccessible to the public for the first 60 days after filing. They will continue to be confidential indefinitely unless a judgment for possession is issued, at which point the record will only become public after a specified period or upon resolution of any appeals. This provision aims to protect tenants who prevail in court or reach favorable settlements from being adversely affected by public access to their court records.

Additionally, the bill prohibits landlords from considering certain court actions that did not result in a judgment for possession or were resolved favorably for the tenant when evaluating rental applications. It requires landlords to provide written notice detailing the reasons for any adverse actions taken, including the screening information used, and establishes penalties for non-compliance, with fines starting at $1,000 for first offenses. The bill also criminalizes the unauthorized sharing of court filing information related to landlord-tenant actions, classifying it as a fourth-degree crime, and allows tenants to seek legal recourse for violations, including potential damages and attorney fees. Furthermore, it reinforces anti-discrimination measures by making it unlawful to refuse rental based on a person's history of involvement in summary dispossess proceedings.