This bill aims to enhance the confidentiality of landlord-tenant court records in New Jersey and to protect tenants from discrimination based on their court history. It establishes that court records related to landlord-tenant actions will remain confidential and unavailable to the public for the first 60 days after filing, and will remain confidential indefinitely unless a judgment for possession is issued. If a judgment is made, the record will become public after the 61st day or within 45 days of resolution, but will remain confidential during any appeals unless the landlord prevails. Additionally, records related to tenant actions asserting legal rights against landlords will remain confidential indefinitely unless the tenant consents to disclosure.

The bill also prohibits landlords from considering certain court actions when evaluating rental applications, specifically those that did not result in a judgment for possession or were resolved favorably for the tenant. It requires landlords to provide a screening criteria document and written notices detailing reasons for any adverse actions taken. Violations can lead to penalties, including fines and legal action by affected tenants. The bill criminalizes the unauthorized provision of court filing information related to landlord-tenant actions, categorizing each instance as a separate fourth-degree crime, and allows tenants to seek legal recourse for violations, including potential treble damages. Furthermore, it reinforces anti-discrimination measures by making it unlawful to refuse rental based on a tenant's history of involvement in summary dispossess proceedings or actions to enforce their legal rights.