N.J. Stat. Ann. § 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-49
Violations, penalties for unlawful disclosure of genetic information
Operative Text
10. a. Any person violating the provisions of sections 6 through 9, inclusive, of P.L.1996, c.126 (C.10:5-45 through C.10:5-48) shall be a disorderly person and shall be punished by a fine of $1,000, a prison term of six months, or both. b. Any person who willfully discloses an individual's genetic information to any third party in violation of P.L.1996, c.126 shall be punished by a fine of $5,000, a prison term of one year, or both. c. Any person who discloses an individual's genetic information in violation of P.L.1996, c.126, shall be liable to the individual for all actual damages, including damages for economic, bodily, or emotional harm which is proximately caused by the disclosure. L.1996,c.126,s.10.
Under N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-49, New Jersey law establishes a tiered penalty structure for the unlawful disclosure of an individual's genetic information. A basic violation carries a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to six months in prison, while a willful disclosure to a third party can result in a fine of up to $5,000 and/or up to one year in prison. Beyond criminal penalties, any person whose genetic information is disclosed in violation of the statute may seek civil damages—including compensation for economic, bodily, or emotional harm—from the party responsible for the disclosure.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to New Jersey's genetic information privacy rules should be aware that N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-49 imposes both criminal and civil consequences for unauthorized disclosure of genetic information. Compliant operators generally avoid collecting, retaining, or sharing any genetic information about applicants or tenants, and ensure that any staff with access to sensitive personal data are trained on the strict limits imposed by P.L.1996, c.126. Operators typically maintain clear data-handling policies that prevent inadvertent or willful disclosure to third parties, given that willful violations carry significantly heightened penalties.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-49 gives individuals whose genetic information has been unlawfully disclosed the right to pursue civil damages, including compensation for economic, bodily, or emotional harm caused by that disclosure. Tenants or applicants who believe their genetic information was shared without authorization may have grounds to raise a violation of P.L.1996, c.126 in a civil proceeding or to report the conduct to the appropriate New Jersey enforcement authority. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office can help individuals understand the range of remedies available under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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