Bill would require written agreements before listing or selling dining reservations
Trenton, NJ – New Jersey lawmakers have advanced legislation aimed at cracking down on third-party restaurant reservation services that list or sell bookings without a restaurant’s consent, a move that could reshape how diners secure tables across the state. The bill, Assembly No. 3318, cleared both chambers this week with overwhelming support.
The measure, reported favorably by the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee, would prohibit reservation platforms from advertising, listing, promoting, or selling reservations for any food service establishment without a written agreement in place. Lawmakers say the bill is designed to protect restaurants from unauthorized listings and fees tied to reservations they did not approve.
Under the bill, a “third-party restaurant reservation service” is defined as any website, mobile application, or internet-based service that arranges on-premises dining reservations but is operated independently from the restaurant.
Penalties and enforcement provisions
Violations of the proposed law would carry financial consequences. The bill states that “any person who violates its provisions is subject to a civil penalty that will not exceed $500 for each violation,” with penalties accruing daily and per establishment involved.
The legislation also allows affected parties to take legal action. It provides that individuals or restaurants impacted by unauthorized reservations may seek “injunctive relief to restrain or enjoin any activity in violation of the bill,” along with “actual damages not to exceed the total fees collected,” plus attorney’s fees and additional remedies.
Key Points
- Bill bans unauthorized restaurant reservation listings without written consent
- Violations could result in $500 daily fines per listing
- Restaurants and customers can sue for damages and legal relief
Legislative approval and next steps
The Assembly passed the bill Monday with a 68-0 vote, with one abstention and 11 members not voting. In the Senate, the measure advanced through amendments and received final passage with a 38-0 vote, with two members not voting.
The legislation mirrors a similar law enacted in Illinois, signaling a broader trend among states addressing third-party reservation practices. Lawmakers included a one-year statute of limitations for bringing claims under the measure.
If enacted, the bill would establish new compliance requirements for reservation platforms operating in New Jersey and provide restaurants with greater control over how their availability is marketed and sold online.