Bill Text: NJ S2545 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes Deep Fake Technology Unit in DLPS; appropriates $2 million.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-08 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee [S2545 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-S2545-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator PAUL D. MORIARTY
District 4 (Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes Deep Fake Technology Unit in DLPS; appropriates $2 million.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act establishing the Deep Fake Technology Unit, supplementing Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, and making an appropriation.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this act, "Deceptive audio or visual media" or "deep fake" means any video recording, sound recording, electronic image, photograph, or any technological representation of speech or conduct that appears to authentically depict any speech or conduct of a person who did not in fact engage in the speech or conduct and the production of which was substantially dependent upon technical means, rather than the ability of another person to physically or verbally impersonate the person.
b. The Attorney General, in consultation with the Chief Technology Officer of the New Jersey Office of Information Technology in the Department of the Treasury, shall establish in the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Public Safety, a unit, to be known as the Deep Fake Technology Unit, to assist in the detection and prevention of deceptive audio or visual media.
The purpose of this office shall be to provide technical assistance, expertise, education, and training to State and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and State courts regarding the investigation and analysis of potentially deceptive audio or visual media. The unit shall be under the immediate supervision of a manager with appropriate technical and legal expertise, who shall be appointed by the Attorney General, and shall be staffed as necessary to effectuate the provisions of this section. The Administrative Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts may designate a representative to work with the unit as a liaison and training coordinator.
The unit's responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) analyzing, authenticating, and developing evidence related to deceptive audio or visual media in support of State and local law enforcement investigations and prosecutions;
(2) providing expert testimony in court proceedings involving deceptive or potentially deceptive audio or visual media evidence;
(3) offering training and technical assistance to State and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and State courts to raise awareness regarding the issue of deceptive audio or visual media and to enhance the ability to detect, investigate, and prosecute deceptive audio or visual media-related offenses;
(4) collaborating with other State and federal agencies, as well as private sector entities, to share information, resources, and best practices related to deceptive audio or visual media detection, analysis, and prevention; and
(5) to begin one year following the formation of the unit, issuing an annual report to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature, which shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) detailed information regarding the unit's activity during the preceding year;
(b) a summary of the technological advancements in deceptive audio or visual media and applicable detection methods;
(c) a summary of changes to the law related to deceptive audio or visual media, such as legislation, court rulings, and regulations;
(d) information regarding the unit's collaboration with academic institutions and the private sector; and
(e) recommendations for legislation and regulations to address the challenges posed by deceptive audio or visual media.
c. The Attorney General may adopt guidelines necessary to implement the provisions of this section.
d. There is appropriated from the General Fund $2 million to the Department of Law and Public Safety to effectuate the provisions of this section.
2. This act shall take effect six months following enactment; however, the Attorney General may take any administrative action in advance as necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill establishes the Deep Fake Technology Unit in the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Public Safety.
"Deep fakes" are realistic video images and audio manipulated using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to convincingly depict events or statements that did not occur. Due to advances in technology, deep fakes have become difficult to distinguish from authentic video images and audio.
Under the bill, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Chief Technology Officer of the New Jersey Office of Information and Technology in the Department of the Treasury, is to establish the Deep Fake Technology Unit to provide technical assistance, expertise, education, and training to State and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and State courts regarding the investigation and analysis of potentially deceptive audio or visual media.
In addition, beginning one year following the unit's formation, the unit is required to provide a report to the Governor and Legislature that includes information regarding the unit's activity during the preceding year; a summary of technological advancements in deceptive audio or visual media and applicable detection methods; a summary of changes to the law related to deceptive audio or visual media; information regarding the unit's collaboration with the private sector and academic institutions; and recommendations for legislation and regulations to address the challenges posed by deceptive audio or visual media.
The bill permits the Administrative Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts to designate a representative to work with the unit as a liaison and training coordinator.
Finally, the bill appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to the Department of Law and Public Safety to effectuate the provisions of this bill.
