This bill aims to enhance the confidentiality of landlord-tenant court records in New Jersey and to protect tenants from discrimination based on their legal 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 61 days or 75 days post-resolution, contingent on the landlord prevailing in any appeals. Additionally, records of actions where tenants prevail or achieve favorable settlements will remain confidential indefinitely.

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 mandates that landlords provide a written notice detailing the reasons for any adverse actions taken on rental applications, including any screening information accessed. Penalties for non-compliance include fines starting at $1,000 for first offenses and $5,000 for subsequent offenses, along with reasonable attorney fees. The bill further criminalizes the unauthorized provision of court filing information related to landlord-tenant actions, classifying each instance as a fourth-degree crime. It reinforces protections against discrimination in housing, allowing affected tenants to seek treble damages or a minimum of $5,000 in court, along with attorney fees and equitable relief. The provisions will take effect 180 days after enactment.