Bill > A2071

This bill, known as the "New Jersey Open Data Initiative," mandates that state departments and agencies make certain information available to the public online. The initiative aims to increase transparency, accountability, and public engagement by providing access to data, which is defined as factual information in a digital format that records measurements, transactions, or determinations related to an agency's mission. A "data set" is a collection of this related data, excluding anything protected by law or contract. The Department of the Treasury will establish a dedicated website to host these electronic data sets, and each agency will be responsible for providing its data in a format determined by the Treasurer. While agencies are not required to make data available on demand, they must ensure disclosures comply with existing laws, including privacy and security regulations, and cannot post personally identifiable information without consent or a lawful purpose. The bill also clarifies that state entities are generally protected from liability for data deficiencies unless there is gross negligence or intentional misconduct, and it outlines procedures for verifying and correcting data. The initiative will be implemented through rules and regulations developed by the State Treasurer, with a focus on technical standards to ensure broad accessibility and usability of the data.