Committee releases $500,000 proposal for public-awareness campaign on social media risks to minors

The New Jersey General Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee voted to release Assembly Bill 2367, a proposal to fund a public-awareness campaign on the dangers of social media use by minors. The bill would appropriate $500,000 and was released by a committee vote on the motion to release.

The bill’s sponsor did not present witnesses at the committee hearing; two supporters were listed as registered in favor but declined to testify: Jonathan Pushman of the New Jersey Scribe Board Association and Elizabeth Ginsburg, executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools. Committee staff read the bill summary into the record.

The bill matters because it directs state funds toward outreach aimed at minors and their families. Committee members noted the proposal is a separate appropriation and is not included in the governor’s proposed budget, so it would require a fiscal note and additional review by the Appropriations Committee before becoming law.

On the roll call, Assemblyman McGuckin voted no and said, “It’s a separate appropriation, and the school districts, in my district have been decimated by state aid cuts and I can’t agree spending additional half million dollars while those cuts remain in place.” Assemblywoman Meyer recorded an abstention. The full recorded tally: McGuckin — no; Meyer — abstain; Miller — yes; Simmons — yes; Maranco — yes; Swain — yes; Chairman Tully — yes. The motion to release passed and the bill was released to further consideration.

Next steps: because the bill would create a new appropriation, committee members noted it requires a fiscal note and referral to Appropriations for review of the funding mechanism and any offsets.

The committee convened and completed three bills during the session, closing after the final vote.