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A4469
ASSEMBLY, No. 4469
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
�
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 24, 2026
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman� GERRY SCHARFENBERGER
District 13 (Monmouth)
Assemblywoman� VICTORIA A. FLYNN
District 13 (Monmouth)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Fantasia
SYNOPSIS
���� �Video Game Marketplace Trafficking Investigation
Act,� requires Attorney General to investigate misuse of online video game
commerce systems for human trafficking activity.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
���� As introduced.
��
An Act
concerning video game marketplace platforms and
human trafficking, and supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.
����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:
���� 1. As used in P.L.��� , c.����
(C.������� ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill):
���� �Gaming platform� means an
electronic delivery system used to launch or play an interactive game;
broadcast, transmit, record, or view the playing of an interactive game; or
otherwise allow a person to participate in the playing or viewing of an
interactive game.� Gaming platform includes systems using the Internet, an
Internet connected device, proprietary computer network, or a mobile telephone
network.� Gaming platform also includes systems through which a person may
engage in off-track wagering pursuant to the �Off-Track and Account Wagering
Act,� P.L.2001, c.199 (C.5:5-127 et seq.); Internet gaming pursuant to
P.L.2013, c.27 (C.5:12-95.17 et seq.); sports wagering pursuant to P.L.2018,
c.33 (C.5:12A-10 et seq.); fantasy sports activities pursuant to section 2 of
P.L.2017, c.231 (C.5:20-2); or any game regulated by the Legalized Games of
Chance Control Commission.
���� �Video game marketplace� means
a gaming platform, or any facility, including but not limited to, a physical
commercial premises; trade exhibition, show, fair, or convention; Internet
website or Internet connected device; proprietary computer network, or mobile
telephone network, the primary business or purpose of which is to allow or
facilitate the sale, offer for sale, purchase, rental, trading, collecting,
advertising, marketing, promotion, distribution, downloading, archiving,
programming, or discussion of interactive games or the features thereof,
whether or not for any fee or remuneration.
���� 2. a. (1) Upon the effective
date of P.L.��� , c.���� (C.������� ) (pending before the Legislature as this
bill), the Attorney General shall initiate and conduct an investigation into
the use and exploitation of online gaming platforms and video game marketplaces
in furtherance of the commission of the crimes of human trafficking and
commercial sex abuse of minors.� The investigation shall be ongoing, and shall
produce updated findings from time to time in light of developments in
technology and the gaming industry.
���� (2) No later than 18 months
after the effective date of P.L.��� , c.���� (C.������� ) (pending before the
Legislature as this bill), and annually thereafter, the Attorney General shall
submit to the Governor, and to the Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of
P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), a report of the investigation conducted
pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection.
���� b. The investigation conducted
pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall, at minimum:
���� (1) gather and review
information from this State, nationally, and internationally concerning the
exploitation of gaming platforms, video game marketplaces, and similar
Internet-based services by perpetrators of human trafficking and commercial sex
abuse of minors;
���� (2) receive and investigate
consumer complaints concerning specific instances of suspected human
trafficking or commercial sex abuse of minors on a gaming platform or video
game marketplace;
���� (3) identify specific gaming
platforms and video game marketplaces, and the specific features of such
services, that are particularly vulnerable to exploitation;
���� (4) document the methods used
by perpetrators to exploit gaming platforms and video game marketplaces;
���� (5) determine the scope of the
problem concerning the exploitation of gaming platforms and video game
marketplaces including, but not limited to, the social and economic impact of the
problem on the gaming industry and the public; and
���� (6) develop recommendations
for prevention and enforcement including, but not limited to, recommendations
which may be implemented by gaming platform and video game marketplace
operators, law enforcement agencies, schools, community organizations, the
Governor, and the Legislature.
���� c. Nothing in this section
shall be construed to limit or otherwise affect the ability of the Attorney
General to pursue civil or criminal enforcement actions against human
trafficking or commercial sex abuse of minors.
���� 3. a. Any gaming platform or
video game marketplace that does business in, is based in, or operates from
this State, or is otherwise accessible to residents in this State, shall cooperate
in good faith with the Attorney General�s investigation required pursuant to
section 2 of P.L.��� , c.���� (C.������� ) (pending before the Legislature as
this bill).� Such cooperation shall include, but not be limited to: responding
to all subpoenas and requests for information within 30 days; providing all
relevant data and documents requested; and refraining from taking any adverse
action against any employee, user, or whistleblower for complying with the
investigation.
���� b. In securing cooperation
from gaming platforms and video game marketplaces, the Attorney General may, in
the Attorney General�s sole discretion, enter into individualized agreements
with a gaming platform or video game marketplace concerning the confidentiality
of proprietary or trade secret information and the privacy of users� personally
identifiable information.
���� c. A gaming platform or video
game marketplace, or the owner, operator, employee, or agent thereof, who acts
reasonably and in good faith to comply with the requirements of subsection a.
of this section, shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for so
acting.
���� d. (1) Any gaming platform or
video game marketplace which violates the provisions of subsection a. of this
section shall be liable to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each
violation.� The civil penalty shall be collected pursuant to the �Penalty
Enforcement Law of 1999,� P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.), in a summary
proceeding by the Attorney General before the Superior Court.� The penalty
shall be paid into the �Human Trafficking Survivor�s Assistance Fund� created
pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2013, c.51 (C.52:17B-238).
���� (2) An action under paragraph
(1) of this subsection to enforce the provisions of this section shall be in
addition to, and shall not preclude, any enforcement action by a State agency
that has issued a license, permit, certificate, or registration to the gaming
platform or video game marketplace.
���� 4. This act shall take effect
immediately.
STATEMENT
���� This bill requires the
Attorney General to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the use of
online video game marketplaces for human trafficking and child abuse crimes.�
The bill responds to emerging evidence that criminal actors are exploiting anonymity
and lack of oversight in video game commerce systems to conduct serious crimes,
including the trafficking of children and adults.
���� The bill authorizes the
Attorney General to identify platforms vulnerable to exploitation, document
criminal methods, determine the scope of the problem, and develop
recommendations for prevention and enforcement.
���� Significantly, the bill
requires video game companies to cooperate with the investigation by responding
to information requests within 30 days, and may not retaliate against users who
cooperate with law enforcement.� The bill includes protections for trade
secrets and proprietary information while ensuring the Attorney General can
effectively investigate.
���� The Attorney General must
submit a comprehensive report to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months,
detailing findings and recommending legislative or regulatory actions.� Civil
penalties are established for companies that fail to comply with information
requests or that obstruct the investigation, with recovered penalties deposited
in the Human Trafficking Survivor�s Assistance Fund.
���� The bill provides immunity
from civil liability for companies that cooperate in good faith with the
investigation, but does not provide immunity for companies that knowingly
facilitate crimes.� The bill preserves the Attorney General�s existing
enforcement authority.
���� This legislation represents a
critical step in protecting New Jersey residents, particularly children, from
exploitation through emerging technologies and platforms while balancing the
need for effective law enforcement with appropriate protections for legitimate
business operations.