NJ Assembly approves social media protections

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Two measures aimed at stopping employers and schools from asking for social media passwords have been approved by the New Jersey Assembly.
Lawmakers voted 75-0 on Monday for the school-related protections and 77-0 for the employee-related measure.
The bills would prohibit employers, colleges and universities from requiring current or prospective employees or students to disclose user names or passwords for social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. They also would prohibit asking them if they have an account on a social media or networking site.
Business groups have expressed concern about the measures leading to expensive lawsuits. They also want exceptions for investigating claims against employees, like insider trading or sexual harassment.
The Senate has not yet considered the measures.
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