NJ, US · AI law tracker

A3540 — NJ, US

A3540 is an AI governance legislation from NJ, currently introduced. New Jersey A3540 proposes criminal penalties for deepfake production or dissemination [1]. AIGI tracks 1 primary-source update on this bill; the most recent was published on 2025-04-02.

Status & timeline

Regulatory stage
introduced
Bill status
APP
Authority / governing body
New Jersey State Legislature
Document type
legislation

Next deadline: No fixed deadline — the bill is currently undergoing legislative process.

Subscriber only

Full obligation matrix

ActorObligationDeadlineSource
allDo not produce deceptive audio or visual media (deepfakes).Effective upon enactment
allDo not disseminate deceptive audio or visual media (deepfakes).Effective upon enactment

Subscriber only

Enforcement risk score

75
/ 100

Enforcement actions have been filed against named organizations under this or analogous rules.

Subscriber only

Role-based compliance checklist

  • general_counsel Review current media production and dissemination practices to identify any deepfake-related activities. (Effective upon enactment)
  • compliance_officer Communicate the new criminal penalties for deepfake production and dissemination to all relevant personnel. (Effective upon enactment)
  • board_director Ensure company policies and training reflect the prohibition on deceptive deepfake media. (Effective upon enactment)

Subscriber only

Vendor impact assessment

Vendor risk class
high
Procurement categories
content_moderation, media_entertainment, advertising

Vendors offering content creation tools, advertising services, or media platforms must demonstrate robust controls to prevent the generation and dissemination of deceptive deepfakes to avoid criminal liability for their clients or themselves.

Sample vendor questions

  1. Does your platform or service incorporate any generative AI or synthetic media capabilities?
  2. What controls are in place to prevent the production or dissemination of deceptive deepfakes through your offerings?
  3. How do you verify the authenticity of audio or visual content provided by users or third parties?
  4. What are your policies regarding content generated by AI, especially if it could be considered deceptive?
  5. Do you offer any features that could be used to create or spread deepfakes, and what safeguards are in place?

Intelligence briefs (1)

legislation APP 4/2/2025

New Jersey Bill A3540 Proposes Deepfake Criminal Penalties

New Jersey A3540 proposes criminal penalties for deepfake production or dissemination [1].

This development signals an emergent enforcement dimension for generative AI, specifically targeting synthetic media [1].

Deadline: No fixed deadline — the bill is currently undergoing legislative process.

Primary source →

Frequently asked questions

What is A3540?
New Jersey Assembly Bill A3540, introduced during the 2024-2025 session, proposes to establish criminal penalties for the production or dissemination of deceptive audio or visual media [1]. This legislative effort targets content commonly referred to as "deepfakes," aiming to regulate the creation and distribution of such manipulated media within the state. The bill is currently undergoing the legislative process. Primary source →
Why does A3540 matter?
This development signals an emergent enforcement dimension for generative AI, specifically targeting synthetic media [1]. Primary source →
Who does A3540 affect?
Organizations and individuals involved in the creation, distribution, or hosting of synthetic media are within scope, particularly those operating in or targeting New Jersey. This includes technology companies, social media platforms, content creators, advertising agencies, and political campaigns utilizing generative AI for audio or visual content. Considerations include the potential legal and compliance implications for operations touching New Jersey's jurisdiction. Primary source →
What are the key dates for A3540?
No fixed deadline — the bill is currently undergoing legislative process. Primary source →
What is the current status of A3540?
As of the last published update, A3540 is at the "introduced" stage, with bill status "APP". Primary source →
Where can I find the primary source for A3540?
The primary source for the most recent update is at https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A3540. AIGI publishes the full citation chain plus every approved brief on this bill. Primary source →

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