Bill Text: NJ A424 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Creates public awareness campaign concerning risks associated with unsecured, Internet-connected baby monitors.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-09-17 - Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading [A424 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-A424-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
218th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2018 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman GABRIELA M. MOSQUERA
District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)
Assemblywoman JOANN DOWNEY
District 11 (Monmouth)
Assemblyman JAMEL C. HOLLEY
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Creates public awareness campaign concerning risks associated with unsecured, Internet-connected baby monitors.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act creating a public awareness campaign concerning baby monitors with Internet connectivity.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety, in consultation with the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families, shall establish a public awareness campaign to provide information to the general public concerning baby monitors that broadcast audio or video through an Internet connection and:
(1) the risks associated with unsecured Internet-connected baby monitors; and
(2) baby monitor security features and other measures that may be taken by parents or guardians to prevent unauthorized users from hearing or viewing activity through monitors.
b. The director shall create printed and electronic educational materials concerning baby monitors that broadcast audio or video through an Internet connection. The director shall disseminate those materials: (1) to child care centers licensed pursuant to P.L.1983, c.492 (C.30:5B-1 et seq.); (2) on the premises of, or through mail or electronic communications by, any office that is operated, administered, or used to provide services to the general public by the Department of Children and Families; (3) in collaboration with, and with the assistance of, other State, county, and municipal governmental entities; and (4) by any other means as the director may determine.
c. The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs shall report to the Governor and to the Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), no later than 24 months after the effective date of this act, on the activities and accomplishments of the public awareness campaign.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill establishes a public awareness campaign to provide information to the general public about baby monitors that broadcast audio or video through an Internet connection.
Under the bill, the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety, in consultation with the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families, is required to create the public awareness campaign to inform consumers about (1) the risks associated with unsecured Internet-connected baby monitors, and (2) security features and other measures that may be taken by parents or guardians to prevent unauthorized users from hearing or viewing activity through monitors. The division is required to create printed and electronic educational materials and disseminate them: to licensed child care centers in the State; on the premises of, or through mail or electronic communications by, any Department of Children and Families office that provides services to the general public; in collaboration with other State, county, and municipal governmental entities; and by any other means the director determines. The bill also requires the division to report to the Governor and the Legislature concerning the activities and accomplishments of the public awareness campaign within two years of the bill's effective date.
Baby monitors that broadcast live audio and video feeds over the Internet can be viewed on a computer, cellular telephone, tablet, or other Internet-connected device. The possibility of an unknown individual watching a person's baby is frightening for many parents who have come to rely on these devices. Recent news articles highlight the vulnerabilities of Internet-connected baby monitors that lack basic security features, making them prone to even simple hacking attempts. In addition, a hacked camera could provide access to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices in a person's home, such as a personal computer or security system.
