This bill aims to protect the personal information of members of the Armed Forces of the United States and the New Jersey National Guard by prohibiting the posting or publishing of their home addresses and unpublished home telephone numbers on the Internet. It establishes that individuals who knowingly expose such information with the intent to harass or in reckless disregard of the potential harm will face criminal charges, with violations categorized as either a third-degree or fourth-degree crime depending on the intent. Additionally, state and local agencies are required to obtain written consent from the service members before disclosing their personal information online.
Furthermore, the bill holds individuals, businesses, and associations liable for disclosing this sensitive information under circumstances that could reasonably lead to harassment or risk of harm. Victims of such violations are granted the right to pursue civil action in Superior Court, where they may be awarded actual damages, a minimum of $1,000 in liquidated damages for each violation, punitive damages for willful or reckless disregard, and coverage for reasonable attorney fees and litigation costs. The bill also provides a comprehensive definition of "disclose," encompassing various forms of information sharing.