Bill Text: NJ S3649 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Prohibits sale of non-flushable disposable wipes.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-05-15 - Combined with S3632 (SCS) [S3649 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-S3649-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH P. CRYAN
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits sale of non-flushable disposable wipes.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning non-flushable disposable wipes and supplementing P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this section, "non-flushable disposable wipe product" means any pre-moistened wipe product designed and marketed for the personal care of the human body and constructed from synthetic materials that do not dissolve or break down in water. A non-flushable disposable wipe product shall not include a pre-moistened wipe product designed to break down in water.
b. It shall be an unlawful practice and a violation of P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.) for a person to sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale a non-flushable disposable wipe product.
2. This act shall take effect on the first day of the sixth month following enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill prohibits the sale of non-flushable disposable wipes.
Under the bill, it is an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act, for a person to sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale a non-flushable disposable wipe product.
Non-flushable disposable wipes are cloth-like products intended for the personal cleansing of the human body. However, consumers may wrongly assume these products may be safely disposed of in the toilet. Non-flushable disposable wipes are typically made of synthetic materials that do not break down or disintegrate when submerged in water, even over a long period of time. This results in significant harm to sewage and septic systems, causing pipes, pumps, and water treatment systems to get clogged and require costly repairs.
An unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. In addition, a violation can result in a cease and desist order issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured.
