# New Jersey A5262: Codifies United States Supreme Court ruling that in defamation suit, public official must prove defendant had actual malice: knowledge that defendant's statement was false or reckless disregard of whether it was false.

New Jersey A5262, Codifies United States Supreme Court ruling that in defamation suit, public official must prove defendant had actual malice: knowledge that defendant's statement was false or reckless disregard of whether it was false., is a 220th Legislature (2024-2025) House bill sponsored by Rosaura Bagolie (Democratic), Ellen J. Park (Democratic); status failed, last action 2025-05-08 (Reported, Referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NJ-A5262-2024-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: New Jersey A5262
- State: New Jersey
- Session: 220th Legislature (2024-2025)
- Title: Codifies United States Supreme Court ruling that in defamation suit, public official must prove defendant had actual malice: knowledge that defendant's statement was false or reckless disregard of whether it was false.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-02-10
- Last action: 2025-05-08, Reported, Referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee
- Sponsors: Rosaura Bagolie (Democratic), Ellen J. Park (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Rosaura Bagolie (Democratic), House
- Sponsor: Ellen J. Park (Democratic), House

## Actions (2)

- 2025-05-08: Reported, Referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee (House)
- 2025-02-10: Introduced, 1st Reading in Assembly, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee (House)

## Bill text

- Assembly Judiciary Substitute (5/8/25), 2025-05-09: [HTML](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/A5500/5262_S1.HTM), [PDF](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/A5500/5262_S1.PDF)
- As Introduced, 2025-02-13: [HTML](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/A5500/5262_I1.HTM), [PDF](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/A5500/5262_I1.PDF)

## Related bills

- S4928: Requires payment of prevailing wage for certain data center construction. (signed)
- S4925: Expands provisions of P.L.2022, c.9 under certain circumstances. (signed)
- S4847: Makes various changes to membership on Cannabis Regulatory Commission and to legalized medical and personal use cannabis marketplace. (signed)
- S4858: Establishes "New Jersey Veterans and Military Spouses Asset Protection Act." (signed)
- S4678: Includes retired teachers and county college faculty members in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teacher grant program.* (signed)
- S4812: Requires DCA to resume Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation program with remaining funds for unmet recovery and rebuilding needs for Supers… (signed)

## Sources
- [Assembly Judiciary Substitute (5/8/25) (HTML)](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/A5500/5262_S1.HTM)
- [Assembly Judiciary Substitute (5/8/25) (PDF)](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/A5500/5262_S1.PDF)
- [As Introduced (HTML)](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/A5500/5262_I1.HTM)
- [As Introduced (PDF)](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/A5500/5262_I1.PDF)

## Related
- [S4928: Requires payment of prevailing wage for certain data center construction.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NJ-S4928-2024-2025)
- [S4925: Expands provisions of P.L.2022, c.9 under certain circumstances.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NJ-S4925-2024-2025)
- [S4847: Makes various changes to membership on Cannabis Regulatory Commission and to le…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NJ-S4847-2024-2025)
- [S4858: Establishes "New Jersey Veterans and Military Spouses Asset Protection Act."](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NJ-S4858-2024-2025)
- [S4678: Includes retired teachers and county college faculty members in science, techno…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NJ-S4678-2024-2025)
- [S4812: Requires DCA to resume Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NJ-S4812-2024-2025)
- [New Jersey bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/new-jersey/bills)
- [New Jersey state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/new-jersey)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NJ-A5262-2024-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).