This bill amends the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act (CFA) to establish specific requirements for individuals seeking to assert a cause of action under the act. It mandates that a person claiming damages must demonstrate that they acted as a reasonable consumer, that the alleged unlawful practice would mislead a reasonable consumer, and that they suffered actual damages supported by definitive evidence. Additionally, the bill allows courts to dismiss claims that do not meet these criteria, thereby aiming to reduce frivolous lawsuits.

Furthermore, the bill introduces limitations on the awarding of attorneys' fees in CFA cases. It stipulates that any awarded fees must be reasonably related to the monetary judgment and, in cases of equitable relief, should reflect the time reasonably expended. This change is intended to provide greater protections for businesses and discourage lawsuits where no actual harm has occurred, thereby addressing concerns about litigation stemming from minor or technical violations of the CFA.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 56:8-19