NJ A3540

Creates a third-degree crime for generating deceptive audio or visual media ("deepfakes") to further the commission of crimes including fraud, theft, forgery, extortion, endangering child welfare, harassment, and cyber-harassment

Establishes a third-degree crime for soliciting, disclosing, or using deepfakes to commit crimes, and a fourth-degree crime for knowingly or recklessly disclosing deepfakes created in violation of the law

Allows fines up to $30,000 in addition to imprisonment, and prohibits merger of deepfake convictions with underlying offense convictions, requiring consecutive sentences

Provides civil remedies for victims including minimum $1,000 liquidated damages per violation, punitive damages, attorney's fees, and equitable relief through Superior Court actions

Exempts content constituting satire, parody, news reporting, teaching, or research, as well as internet service providers, broadcasters, and media outlets acting solely as advertising channels or reporting newsworthy content with appropriate disclaimers