TRENTON, NJ – Assemblyman Paul Kanitra introduced legislation Thursday to prohibit artificial intelligence systems that simulate intimate or romantic relationships.
Filed as Assembly Bill 6246, the measure is titled the Authentic Relationships Act.
The bill would restrict development, marketing, and availability of AI “relationship simulations” in New Jersey, with limited clinical exceptions.
Lawmakers wrote findings that define family as rooted in genuine human relationships and warn that machine-generated intimacy can mislead users by mimicking real-time emotional feedback.
What the bill would ban
A6246 defines an “artificial intelligence relationship simulation” as software, systems, or devices that, through adaptive learning or generative text, speech, or imagery, are designed or marketed to imitate, simulate, or encourage the formation of an intimate, romantic, or sexual relationship between a human and AI.
The bill prohibits any provider from designing, developing, marketing, or making such systems available in the State.
“Provider” includes any person, corporation, or entity that develops, deploys, markets, or makes AI available to the public.
The prohibition applies to physical and virtual products and services offered to New Jersey consumers.
The bill cites distinctions between interactive AI simulations and traditional media that depict fictional romance but do not engage users in real time.
Exceptions for clinical use
The measure allows AI features resembling intimate interaction only when they are developed and deployed exclusively for “legitimate medical usage.”
Qualifying uses include clinical or therapeutic applications for conditions such as social anxiety, dementia, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Such uses must be under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional.
Even in clinical settings, the AI may not imitate, simulate, or encourage a romantic or sexual relationship with a human.
The exception does not authorize consumer-facing romance or companionship apps.
Enforcement and penalties
The Attorney General would have authority to investigate potential violations and bring civil enforcement actions.
Civil penalties may not exceed $25,000 per violation, with each instance of designing, developing, marketing, or making available a prohibited simulation counted separately.
The bill creates a private right of action for individuals who suffer emotional, financial, or relational harm due to violations.
Damages may include punitive damages and reasonable attorney’s fees.
Separately, it would be an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud Act to design, develop, market, or make available an AI relationship simulation with the intent to deceive a person into believing they are interacting with a human.
Scope, definitions, and implementation
The bill adopts New Jersey’s existing statutory definition of “artificial intelligence” from P.L.2024, c.49.
It applies statewide to providers that develop or offer AI products or services to New Jersey consumers.
The act includes a severability clause to preserve remaining provisions if any portion is found unconstitutional.
The effective date is the 180th day after enactment.
A6246 was introduced Thursday and referred for consideration under the 221st Legislature.
Assembly Bill 6246 would ban AI relationship simulators statewide, allow narrow supervised clinical uses, and create civil and consumer-protection penalties for violations.
